Check out this post for details of Refugee events in March.
There are a couple of campaign events still to come before the big Palm Sunday Rally.
RACQld & Just Peace Qld leafletting in the city for Palm Sunday
Following the highly successful baby Asha vigil, public opinion is beginning to shift our way. It's important we stay on the front foot and push for a big roll up to the Palm Sunday rallies on March 20th.
RAC is asking people to get active in their workplace, class or community to urge their colleagues to be there, but we are also planning to leaflet railway stations in the city. We plan to make a splash and will be there with our signs, petitions and leaflets.
Please come and help.
Wed 16th March – 7.30am to 9am (gathering on the corner of corner of Ann and Edward)
Thursday 17th March – 4.30pm to 6pm (gathering on the corner of Adelaide and Edward)
If enough people come we'll branch out to other other train and bus stations.
Further info:
Mark, ph.0439 561 196 or mgillespie3@gmail.com.
Refugee & asylum seeker rights events organised by church groups:
1. Seminar: "What is Sanctuary?" on Tuesday 2. Non-Violent Direct Action training to support Sanctuary, on Wednesday 3. Ryan rally outside Jane Prentice's office, on Friday.
1. Free Seminar: "What Is Sanctuary?"
Presented by Indooroopilly Uniting Church
Tuesday 15th March, 7.30 pm INDOOROOPILLY UNITING CHURCH STATION RD (opposite Pig and Whistle, Indooroopilly Bus station )
Speaker:
Dr Gilbert Bond What is SANCTUARY ... the biblical sources which inspire Cathedrals , churches , Christian religious orders, individuals , to shelter vulnerable people from the authorities. Followed by discussion and a cuppa
Further info:
Frederika E Steen AM 07 37201885
2. Non-Violent Direct Action training to support Sanctuary
Presented by Love Makes a Way
Wednesday 16th March, 6 - 9pm
Darnell Room, St Martin's House, next to St Johns Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane
In partnership with St John's Cathedral, Love Makes a Way is offering training in Christian Non-Violent Direct Action in support of the Cathedral's commitment to Sanctuary.
This highly participatory and experiential training will include teaching on the Christian tradition of sanctuary, training in the principles of a Christ-like approach to non-violent direct action, considering possible actions the authorities might take against someone seeking sanctuary at St John's and role playing practical non-violent responses.
People of all faiths and of none are invited to participate. You don't have to be a Christian.
Please arrive before 6pm.
Further info:
Dave Andrews, 0401 669 245 or Kenn Baker, 0410 183 656
Still To Come!!!!
3. Ryan rally for asylum reform. Shame Jane. Free the kids.
Presented by Ecumenical Social Justice Group - Western Suburbs (ESJG)
When & where:
3pm to 6:30pm Friday, 18th March 2016
On footpath outside the Ryan Federal Electorate office (office of Jane Prentice Federal MP for Ryan), 636 Moggill Rd, Indooroopilly.
As we move through the new year, we are faced with a situation in which as Australians our treatment of asylum seekers is getting worse.
In recent days plans have been revealed to return to Nauru 72 children with health issues. Further details via ABC Breakfast
New Zealand has offered to take 300 asylum seekers for settlement but Australia refuses to process any to that country.
More details via this Guardian article.
A report published by Human Rights Watch has called on Australia to restore its credibility in human rights
More info via SMH article.
Urgently needed reforms in asylum policy
1. Kids out of detention - IMMEDIATELY 2. Release security-cleared Syrians b4 Christmas 3. Close offshore processing camps (save billion$) 4. Compassionate bipartisanship on Asylum 5. Restore accountability through transparency
Right-thinking Australians are sickened when they see representatives "playing politics' with people's lives! Australia is better than this! LNP & ALP can be better too.
Please feel free to come along to this rally.
We've got extra signs to hold. Be respectful at all times. Can't do that? Then please don't come. Kids & pets are welcome too.
Hearing supporters beep their car horns when passing is actually very encouraging to participants. So if you can't make it, beep your horns. Beep alot to show LOTS of support!
ESJG is just local people - from just local churches.
We're just your neighbours - from local Anglican, Catholic, Quaker & Uniting Church communities.
For updates or further info visit the Ecumenical Social Justice Group on FaceBook.
