BY GRAHAM MATTHEWS

MELBOURNE — The Socialist Alliance campaign for the federal seat of Batman kicked off on September 8 with a demonstration demanding that the federal government accept the Tampa refugees.

The demonstration, held at the Preston markets, attracted great attention and support from shoppers. More than 200 signed petitions demanding that the Tampa refugees be given asylum in Australia.

The demonstration was addressed by Refugee Action Collective (RAC) Darebin convenor Marg Jacobs, along with Batman Socialist Alliance candidate Jackie Lynch and many others.

The Socialist Alliance will present signatures gathered to the sitting Labor federal member for Batman, Martin Ferguson. Despite representing a large number of former asylum seekers in his electorate, Ferguson has been largely silent on the issue.

Lynch told Green Left Weekly that the Socialist Alliance in Batman will focus on a community campaign against racism, and for migrant and refugee rights. There will be a community march against racism in November, as well as further speakouts against the government's treatment of asylum seekers.

The Socialist Alliance campaign for the seat of Batman will be formally launched on October 13 with a dinner at the Jika-Jika community centre in Northcote. For details or bookings, please phone Jody on 9486 5472 or email <melbourne@socialist-alliance.org>.

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