Refugee sanctuaries on campuses?

BY PETER ROBSON

NEWCASTLE — Students at campuses across the country are organising
referendums calling for their universities to be declared “refugee safe
havens”.

“We want students to think about this question”, said campus refugee
activist Kathy Newnam, “so we are asking students if they are willing to
see the law broken in support of refugee rights.”

A July 31 meeting of National Tertiary Education Industry Union delegates
supported a “safe haven” referendum amongst academic staff and a campaign
to get a similar referendum amongst general staff is also underway.

A student general meeting will be held to call for the referendum on
August 21. Activities are also planned on Tampa Day, August 26. To get
involved, phone the Newcastle Uni Students' Association on (02) 4968 1281.

From Darwin, Ruth Ratcliffe reports that the Northern Territory University
Refugee Sanctuary Committee held its first meeting on August 1. The group
plans a “safe haven” campaign and other protests against mandatory detention
of asylum seekers. The NTURSC is organising a hunger strike from August
23 to Tampa Day and will be holding stalls, film screenings and distributing
black armbands. To get involved phone Chris or Ruth on (08) 8981 4714 or
Julie on (08) 8946 7739.

From Green Left Weekly, August 7, 2002.

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From GLW issue 503