Walk for Justice for Refugees – Palm Sunday



Walk for Justice for Refugees will take place in all states and major regional cities on Sunday, 9 April. It is organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network and at most events, there will be an interfaith presence and speakers. It is considered a work of Mercy, Justice and Compassion to support refugees, whose spirits are being broken by the current actions of Australia and its parliament.


 

Over 2,000 people are still in limbo on Nauru (including children) and on Manus Island (PNG). There are significant doubts about how many, if any will be offered resettlement in the US. Here in Australia there are over 200 people in detention (including over 30 children). There are nearly 2,500 asylum seekers living in the community on Temporary Protection Visas or TPVs with no certainty about permanent protection, and many of these are children. Moreover, 30,000 are on Bridging Visas, who have not been granted refugee status, and who have recently been given just 60 days to prove their refugee claims, or be at risk of deportation – this is deeply concerning, as the process for claiming asylum is complex, and needs legal support. It is feared that many of these people will be denied because a fair process and consequently returned to life threatening and dangerous situations.

Here are the links for the Palm Sunday events that we currently know of that are taking place around Australia on 9th April.

  • Sydney: https://www.facebook.com/events/1790212824567225/
  • Melbourne: https://www.facebook.com/events/319469755104081/
  • Brisbane: https://www.facebook.com/events/1257847874300436/
  • Adelaide: https://www.facebook.com/events/1460313434042846/
  • Canberra: https://www.facebook.com/events/372888459759292/
  • Wollongong: https://www.facebook.com/events/1347773075286319/
  • Perth: https://www.facebook.com/events/1861924630718373/
  • Darwin: 5pm at Esplanade Park, Darwin (meet south end walk to north end, bring a picnic)
  • Bendigo: https://www.facebook.com/events/269429043480359/
  • Townsville: https://www.facebook.com/events/1863775353835342/
  • Launceston: 1.45pm Princes Park, March to City Square for a multicultural celebration
  • Lennox Head: 11am. on the beach front near the bus stop