Month: March 2015

Asylum seekers are in need of our protection, not more difficulty, according to the Justice4RefugeesWA network, who are organizing the Walk for Justice for Refugees on Palm Sunday April 29 2015. They are a group of over 20 civil society organisations, churches and individuals calling for humane policies for asylum seekers and refugees in Australia.

Prominent businesswoman and philanthropist Janet Holmes à Court AC; former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia and Senior Australian of the Year Fred Chaney AO; and multi-award winning author Tim Winton have all agreed to take part in this year’s walk to ask for compassion not punishment for refugees and asylum seekers.

“The response we make to asylum seekers is inhuman and counter-productive,” said The Most Reverend Roger Herft, Anglican Archbishop of Perth. “The majority of refugees and asylum seekers who receive a positive outcome begin life in this country under restraint and in detention. Those who receive a negative outcome return with deep resentment. It pays to be who we are – hospitable and welcoming.”

Uniting Church Synod of WA Moderator Rev Steve Francis, echoed this sentiment saying, “Many people seeking our help are struggling to cope with the misery our detention regime creates. Even those who are released are not afforded many of the basic securities and opportunities needed to thrive in our community. The time for a compassionate policy change on refugees is well overdue.”

The group and its supporters will be gathering in the grounds of St George’s Cathedral at 1pm on Sunday 29 March before conducting a peaceful walk, palm fronds in hand, on the footpaths of the streets of Perth. Similar events are due to take place across the country as part of a national day of action for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

More than twenty community groups and churches are part of the Justice4refugees network in Perth, who have come together to call for:
• Compassion not punishment.
• An end to offshore processing.
• An end to mandatory detention.

 

Can’t make it to the Walk for Justice for Refugees on Sunday 29^th March 2015 at 1pm? That is okay! You can still support us to make it happen. Just visit https://www.chuffed.org/dashboard/campaign/6633 and donate today.

For those who are coming to the Walk for Justice for Refugees, dont feel left out! You can donate to the cause too. You can just visit the same place. But here it is again https://www.chuffed.org/dashboard/campaign/6633
Thanks!

Tuesday 24 March, 2015

Prominent businesswoman, Janet Holmes à Court; former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia, Fred Chaney AO; and celebrated author, Tim Winton will be joining the Walk for Justice for Refugees on Palm Sunday, 29 March at 1pm, from the steps of St George’s Cathedral.

The trio will speak briefly on the need for compassion, not punishment for refugees and asylum seekers, before joining churches and community organisations in a walk through the streets of Perth.

Over twenty community groups and churches have joined together as part of a national day of action to call for Justice for Refugees:
• compassion not punishment,
• an end to offshore processing, and
• an end to mandatory detention.
Asylum seekers are in need of our protection, not more difficulty, according to the Justice4Refugees WA network, organising the Walk for Justice for Refugees on Palm Sunday.

Bring a palm frond to the grounds of St George’s Cathedral, 38 St Georges Terrace, Perth at 1pm and join us for a peaceful walk on the footpaths of the streets of Perth.