INVITATION
TO JOIN WELCOMING PARTY
Boatload of refugees expected on 22 June at Yarra Riverside
Let's see whether the Ruddock Border Protection Unit can stop this lot.
It's all part of World Refugee Day commemoration, organised in Melbourne
by Victorian Alliance for Refugees (VAR).
VAR committee is asking all supporters of refugees to send a
representative of your community or organisation to join a special
"Welcoming Party" at about 2pm on old Batman Ave near Federation Square.
The Welcoming Party will be joined by thousands of refugee supporters
who have marched down from a rally at the State Library which starts at 1pm.
"This is how we should treat refugees" - rather than lock them up to
deport them, we will assist their settlement in the community.
First we'll invite them to speak to us. Refugees from Iraq, Iran, East
Timor and Afghanistan will address the rally.
Then writer Arnold Zable will speak on the "Act of Humanity" Statement,
asking that the Australian government follow our example and grant
permanent residency to all refugees on TPVs and in detention.
Concise details below.
If you can get involved in this action on World Refugee Day, please
contact the organising Committee of Victorian Alliance for Refugees:
Judy McVey [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0418 347 374
Steve Mullins [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0413 021 412
Vicki Doherty [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0419 503 077
Harvey Stern [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9531 5941
World Refugee Day
RALLY - Melbourne - SUNDAY 22 June 2003
Meet 1pm State Library
(Cnr Swanston & Latrobe sts)
marching to Federation Square by 2pm
STOP THE WAR ON REFUGEES - RESIDENCY NOT REJECTION
We need to mobilise new forces for the next stage of the fight for human
rights and against racism in Australia. Ruddock is threatening forced
deportation for Iranians, Afghans, Iraqis and East Timorese - some on
temporary visas, some still in detention.
END MANDATORY DETENTION
END THE 'PACIFIC SOLUTION'
HONOUR THE CONVENTION
PERMANENT PROTECTION
The rally will be chaired by ACTU President Sharan Burrow.
There'll be theatre, singing, speakers and puppets.
Women for a Humane Refugee Policy will meet beforehand at 12.00pm in the
Carlton Gardens (Cnr Victoria & Rathdowne sts) and march to the State
Library.
Please bring your banner and march as a contingent.
THIS ACTION HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY: Victorian Alliance for Refugees,
Australian Council of Trade Unions, Rural Australians for Refugees,
Refugee Action Collective, Victorian Trades Hall Council, Labor
Coalition of Friends of Asylum Seekers, Ethnic Communities' Council of
Victoria, Labor for Refugees, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, A Just
Australia, Women for a Humane Refugee Policy, Permanent Protection for
All Network, International Federation of Iranian Refugees, The Victorian
Deaths in Custody Watch Committee, The Greens, Socialist Alliance,
Darebin Community Legal Centre, Australians Against Racism, Action in
Solidarity with Asia and The Pacific, Bula Bula Health Project at the
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Good Shepherd Social Justice, Actors for
Refugees, Brigidine Community for Justice, Kurdish & Turkish Human
Rights Group, Islamic Girl's/Women's Group, Friends of the Earth,
Amnesty International, Melbourne Congregation of Sisters of Mercy,
Fitzroy Learning Centre, Labor Council of NSW, Walk Against the War
Coalition, Free the Refugees Campaign, CFMEU (Construction) NSW,
Campaign for the Protection of Asylum Seekers, Islamic Society of
Victoria. Victorian Trade Unions: AEU, AMWU, ANF, AWU, ETU, VIEU, MEAA,
NTEU, TCFUA.
to add your name to the list of supporters please contact Victorian
Alliance for Refugees working party members:
Judy McVey [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0418 347 374
Steve Mullins [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0413 021 412
Vicki Doherty [EMAIL PROTECTED] 0419 503 077
Harvey Stern [EMAIL PROTECTED] 9531 5941
..
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