5 April Palm Sunday Rally for refugees will go ahead- online
Where there is love there is care.
Join the Palm Sunday event live at 11 am here from your home
No matter who we are or where we come from, we are all in this together. As we all make changes to protect ourselves, our families, our neighbours and communities, we will protect each other
There is no better time to uphold the Palm Sunday tradition of calling for justice and peace. Although the Palm Sunday Walk for Justice was cancelled due to COVID-19, the crisis has highlighted how many people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia live in vulnerable conditions, isolation, and like the wider population have ongoing health issues. We are living in extraordinary times and cannot leave anyone behind as we navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The conditions in the detention centres and in the hotels being used as Alternate Places of Detention place people in very high-risk environments. They are kept in crowded conditions with no possibility of practicing recommended physical distancing to protect themselves from the virus. They now face an increased risk of infection. This is a public health issue as much as a humanitarian issue.
This year’s Palm Sunday will be very unique, and we invite you to join an online large-scale expression of solidarity for all refugees and people seeking asylum. We call on the government to ensure people seeking asylum and refugees, in detention or in the community, have the support they need to get through this.
How will it work?
Take the following steps this week;
- Take a picture of yourself holding up a sign you make ( simple as an A4 piece of paper). Include a personal message, and what church or group you identify as being from. Or go further and make a 1min little video of your personal message using your phone. Go to Speak Up for Justice for Refugees for templates and ideas, key slogans being used and background information on the issues.; http://www.refugeeadvocacynetwork.org.au/?p=1820
- Post to your Facebook account and share with the Uniting Social Justice Forum facebook page. Or send to ddavidian@uniting.org and I’ll post it for you;
- If you don’t want to use facebook, its ok. Just tell your friends and family about the Palm Sunday online event. Good opportunity to give someone a call;
- Put the sign you made or other pro-refugee material such as posters or banners outside your home to raise public awareness. Take a photo and put it on facebook, or send it to ddavidian@uniting.org;
- On Sunday at 11 am click on live links for the Virtual Event and for individual speakers
Tom Ballard, comedian and advocate for refugees
Nazeem Hussain, comedian, TV personality, writer and activist
Moz from Manus (Mostafa Azimitabar) now detained in the Mantra Hotel in Preston
Shamindan Kanapathi, Sri Lankan Tamil refugee detained in PNG
Faith leaders:
Bishop Philip Huggins, President of National Council of Churches in Australia;
Dr Mohamed Mohideen, President of Islamic Council of Victoria;
Rabbi Ralph Genende;
Sr Brigid Arthur, founder and Co-ordinator Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project
Rev Ian Smith, Executive Officer, Victorian Council of Churches
Roqaya from the refugee-led group Justice for Refugees
Lucy Honan, founder of Teachers for Refugees
PALM SUNDAY VIRTUAL EVENT (all speakers) available here from 11am Sunday 5 April. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC39QMqqLNWL-bAj5TrBWULw/videos
** There will be recorded presentations by speakers including speakers from faith communities for the Speak Up for Justice for Refugees Palm Sunday online event. It will be possible to view and download the video clips from 9am on Friday 3rd April, and include them in your Palm Sunday fellowship.
Some Key messages this year;
Give Refugees Permanent Protection Visas – #justice4refugees
End the detention of refugees and people seeking asylum #FreeTheRefugees #justice4refugees
Medicare and Centrelink for All – #justice4refugees
Refugees are Welcome – #justice4refugees #WelcomeRefugees
Other Actions;
PALM SUNDAY in NEWCASTLE
Newcastle Palm Sunday Online actions:
Two Palm Sunday Newcastle online Zoom meetings.
Hunter Asylum Seeker Advocacy will live stream to our FB group for people who can’t get in or don’t have zoom
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hunterasylumseekeradvocacy
2pm 5th April- Online collaborative letter writing
3pm – Public Meeting: Stop Using Refugees!
Join both using the following link- https://amnestyau.zoom.us/j/807893640
We are all in this together and more than ever need to support each other. Please get in touch if you want more information or chat about what to do within our online community for this year’s Palm Sunday.
Much care,
Dee
Social Justice Advocate
Uniting Advocacy Team
M 0468 584 071 •E ddavidian@uniting.org
크리스천라이프 편집부