Newcastle protests treatment of refugees

Newcastle protests treatment of refugees

BY MELODY COUTMAN AND PETER ROBSON

NEWCASTLE — As the refugees, some fleeing political oppression, others fleeing poverty, left the ferry in hope of finding a new life they were met by grim grey-suited figures who cried "Welcome to Australia" before being herded into detention centres and forced to pick tomatoes for the state.

This was the scenario that passengers saw as they left the Queen's Wharf ferry terminal here on May 13. The street theatre had been organised by Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) to highlight Australia's treatment of refugees.

The grey-suited figures were cardboard cut-outs provided by Artists for East Timor. The refugees were members of ASIET and Resistance. As they were detained, speakers from ASIET told of the plight refugees faced and folk-singer David Ross sang against the racist policies of the Australian government.

The groups says it will organise further actions for refugee rights in Newcastle. Its next meeting will be on May 24, 1pm, in the Auchmuty Room at the University of Newcastle. Phone Peter on (02) 4926 5328 for more details.

From GLW issue 405