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Tasmanian Anglican

August 2003

 

 

 

 


Lea unfurls the banner from the top of St David's Cathedral.

 

Going to the top

by Prue Cameron

 

 

Tasmanians for Refugees unfurled a gigantic seven metre banner from the Bell Tower at St David's Cathedral on Friday 20 June to mark World Refugee Day.

The slogan on the banner 'All Refugees need Permanent Protection' is our contribution to the national campaign calling on the goverment to grant permanent protection visas to all refugees currently holding temporary protection visas. The campaign also calls for humanitarian solutions for those asylum seekers stuck in the limbo of long term detention, and the immediate release of children and their families into the community.

Overwhelming

We also organised a rally on the following Saturday which involved members of Tasmanians for Refugees talking about their own personal experiences with refugees.

Ralph Forehead spoke about his visit to Woomera Detention Centre in 2001 to assist with the Woomera Lawyers Group. Ida McCann talked about her relationships with the many detainees on Nauru, which have developed through letter writing; and David Vertigan read the story of a young man currently on a temporary protection visa which is soon to expire. He spoke of the life of constant anxiety and uncertainty, and the overwhelming sense of futility he feels, which prevents him from beginning a new life here as he had dreamed.

These personal stories had an extraordinarily powerful effect on the audience, moving many to tears.

Prue Cameron, Tasmanians for Refugees phone 03 6234 3510