LET THEM STAY
#LetThemStay
#CloseTheCamps
#BringThemBack
The court found that it was lawful to spend Australian tax money detaining men, women and children offshore.
The group to be sent includes 9 women who have disclosed disturbing accounts of sexual assault, harassment or rape to their legal representatives and DASSAN visitors, perpetrated on Nauru by Australian- funded staff in a breathtaking abuse of power. They are now set to be sent back to their abusers. All in the group, including children, have now been detained for over two years. For many of the children, this is their whole lives.
Around the country members of the Australian Community have become unified in their response to this unfair situation under the slogan #LetThemStay
take a stand against the pending transfer of these 267 people, including 37 babies and 54 children to offshore detention centres.
We all have a role to play in protecting children and adults from the abuse they face on Nauru and Manus Island.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Here are some other things you could try:
Organise a stunt or event in your local electorate – you can plug in your event here so that GetUp! can help spread the word. A stunt can be as simple or as creative as you like!– Chalk #Letthemstay in front of your MPs office; hang a banner from a bridge ( put in link) or get more creative!
Meet your local MP or Senator: take a group of people with you, go representing your workplace, union, church group, family, neighbourhood, etc!
Have a photo shoot : in your workplace, organization, family, school etc – invite people to hold #Letthemstay signs and post the photos on social media (and send them to your local MP!)
Join our weekly vigils outside the Department of Immigration and Border Protection office on Fridays at 12, (in Cavenagh St, Darwin), and outside WP on Sundays at 4pm – or organise your own – find out more here: http://dassan.weebly.com/vigils.html
Ask your local church to join the sanctuary movement if it hasn’t already http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-04/churches-offer-sanctuary-to-asylum-seekers/7138484
Demand that your union pass a motion/do a media statement condemning the pending deportations and telling the government to #letthemstay
Tell us about it: Let us know your plans so we can help advertise it, share photos, etc.
Suggestions from Getup 16/02/16 Message from Getup! | Ideas from interstate
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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE16/02/16 The #LetThemStay campaign is a community response to Federal Government’s in defense of the people at risk of being sent back to Nauru and Manus Island. Since the announcement from the High Court there has already been a massive community response, opposing the removal of people to Nauru and Manus Island. We are making an impact but it’s not over yet. 1,000s of people have hit the streets and made it clear that we will not allow this to happen. We have only seen the beginning of what is to come if they persist with their threat to move people into harms way. Now is the time to contact your elected representatives in parliament. The document attached includes a list of politicians we would like you to contact, please let them know how you feel about this situation. |
DARWIN ACTIONS SO FAR
Let Them Stay! Protest Vigil
At 4pm on Friday 12th Feb another prayer vigil was held outside the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
The service followed a liturgy provided by the group Love Makes A Way. It was a moving ceremony where once again people of Darwin pledged their support to those suffering under Australia’s brutal Immigration Detention system.
STAND FOR SANCTUARY At 5:30pm On Monday 8th February a large group of people (approximately 300) march on Nightcliff foreshore from the Aquatic Centre to Nightcliff Jetty joining 1,000s of people at Stand For Sanctuary events in cities and towns all around Australia. The purpose of this event was to let the Federal Government know we do not support their actions – and let the asylum seekers and refugees imprisoned in Australia and Nauru know that we stand with them: More information HERE | VIGIL On Thursday 4th February a group of concerned citizens gathered outside the Department of Immigration building in Darwin to join the regular vigil and express their concerns for the welfare of people who are at risk of being sent back to Nauru, despite the identified risk of abuse. The vigil was attended by a group of over 20 people, mostly city workers who put their lunch break to good use. There was a high police presence, most likely in anticipation of public backlash against what many perceive to be misguided ruling. |