2017 Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees
The 2017 Melbourne Palm Sunday Walk For Justice For Refugees took place on Sunday April 9 at 2pm, commencing at the State Library. The St Bernard’s Social Justice Network organised a group to attend the walk. We met with other Catholic high schools who were also marching.
Why Walk?
Detention on Manus Island was declared illegal in April last year, but people are still being held there. Refugees trapped on Manus and Nauru are approaching their fourth year on the detention islands. The US refugee deal remains uncertain; no-one has yet been offered resettlement. The humane thing to do is to #BringThemHere.
Also, over 30,000 refugees are living on Bridging Visas in our community with their futures in limbo. They are only eligible for Temporary Protection Visas. Many families are separated by the harsh system, and people despair of ever being reunited. Many fear being deported to danger under the government’s new Fast Track Assessment process.
The refugee movement is shifting public opinion; a majority are now opposed to the continuing detention of refugees on Manus and Nauru. An estimated 15,000 people attended the 2016 Palm Sunday Walk for Justice. Despite severe weather warnings a dedicated group gathered for 2017. Let's hope this year is the end of offshore processing.
Why Walk?
Detention on Manus Island was declared illegal in April last year, but people are still being held there. Refugees trapped on Manus and Nauru are approaching their fourth year on the detention islands. The US refugee deal remains uncertain; no-one has yet been offered resettlement. The humane thing to do is to #BringThemHere.
Also, over 30,000 refugees are living on Bridging Visas in our community with their futures in limbo. They are only eligible for Temporary Protection Visas. Many families are separated by the harsh system, and people despair of ever being reunited. Many fear being deported to danger under the government’s new Fast Track Assessment process.
The refugee movement is shifting public opinion; a majority are now opposed to the continuing detention of refugees on Manus and Nauru. An estimated 15,000 people attended the 2016 Palm Sunday Walk for Justice. Despite severe weather warnings a dedicated group gathered for 2017. Let's hope this year is the end of offshore processing.