Let them stay

LET THEM STAY

This is the webpage dedicated to DASSAN campaigns in defense of 267 people including vulnerable women, their babies and children, currently held in Australian immigration detention centres who are at risk of being returned to Nauru

#LetThemStay
#CloseTheCamps
#BringThemBack

On Wednesday 3rd February at 10.15am the High Court handed down their finding in the M68 Challenge.
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 is a list of actions other people have taken, and ideas we have come up with. DASSAN encourages people in the Darwin community to add your voice and find creative, non-violent,  persuasive ways you can contribute to this growing momentum, calling on the Turnbull government to #Lethemstay.

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

lethemstaygetup.pdf

Download File

16/02/16  Message from Getup!
Ideas from interstate

  • On February 16, staff at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital held an action   to show their support for staff at Brisbane’s  Lady Cilento Hospital – who are refusing to release asylum seeker baby Asha to immigration officials who want to send her and her family back to Nauru. Photos HERE
  • Around Australia, #Letthemstay banners are appearing on church walls, in office windows and hanging from suburban fences.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE

16/02/16 
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.

let_them_stay_-_contact_your_local_representative.docx

Download File

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.
DASSAN MEDIA RELEASE 02/02/15