A group of 秘色传媒 students, staff and parents, eager to stand in solidarity with asylum seekers, protested the treatment of those detained on Nauru and Manus Islands by walking on Palm Sunday in the public rally in the city. Keen to ‘Welcome and Protect’, we walked to be a voice for justice for refugees.
This Service to the Community opportunity also proved to be a great example of our democratic processes in action as the streets of the CBD were closed to traffic and we marched, chanting our message for all to hear, particularly our representatives in government.
Pope Francis has challenged all of us with his action plan for Asylum Seekers and Refugees: to Welcome, to Protect, to Promote and to Integrate. Unfortunately, Australia’s sad treatment of Asylum Seekers continues and so we are called to make a public witness to “WELCOME THE STRANGER!”.
Across Australia, people from all faith groups, community groups and organisations and unions joined the Palm Sunday actions for Refugees, bringing banners and other messages of support to express our concern about the treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum. In this election year, our message to our aspiring leaders is that we stand together with refugees.
We continue to call on Australia’s political leaders to abandon the current harsh and unjust policies, and to provide permanent protection for these vulnerable people. As Dominicans, we also call for truth and respect in the public discourse – Australians are shocked that some politicians show little regard for the truth while pursuing short term political advantage.
Australia IS RESPONSIBLE for these people. Instead of spending millions to prolong their despair, Australia should #BringThemHere and #LetThemStay. Our message to our political leaders is to give refugees HOPE- not despair.
