Sunday July 19 2020, marks 7 years of detention of refugees who have been held hostage by the Australian government. It’s been 7 years since former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that people seeking asylum, arriving by boat, will never be settled in Australia and would be processed offshore. Since then refugees and asylum seekers have been held on Manus Island and Nauru in horrendous conditions.
Mostafa Azimitabar is a refugee who has been detained by the Australian Government in the Mantra hotel, Melbourne. Moz has organised a candlelight vigil to support the refugees being held in detention.
In solidarity with Moz, and all the imprisoned refugees, the Refugee Action Collective Qld will hold a supporting vigil at the Kangaroo Point hotel/prison. This is a small act of hope, and of compassion. We would love you to join us.
Please use the hashtags #freetherefugees #7yearstoolong #GameOver
When: Sunday 19 July 7pm-8pm AEST
Where: In your own location and at 721 Main Street, Kangaroo Point
Simply light a candle and take 7 minutes of silence in your own home or backyard. Go live with your signs and messages of support. Share your photographs and video on your individual social media and in the Facebook event page. Your supportive messages, images and videos will be collated and shared #freetherefugees #7yearstoolong #GameOver
July 19 2020, marks 7 years of detention of refugees who have been held hostage by the Australian government. It’s 7 years since former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that people seeking asylum, arriving by boat, will never be settled in Australia and would be processed offshore. Since then refugees and asylum seekers have been held on Manus Island and Nauru in horrendous conditions.
Over the past year many of these refugees have been transferred to Australia under the now repealed Medevac legislation Yet they are still being held as hostages and are not receiving adequate healthcare. These refugees are being held in Australia at Kangaroo Point and BITA in Brisbane, the Mantra hotel and MITA in Melbourne.
On top of that Melbourne is experiencing a public health crisis because of the COVID19 pandemic, and those in detention are at much higher risk of contracting the illness.
We invite you to show your support and solidarity with all the refugees who are detained by the Australian government and for those who have lost in their lives while in detention.
