When
Where
Perth Children's Hospital
Winthrop Ave
Nedlands WA 6009
Australia
Why
Three-year-old Tharnicaa from Biloela has been medically evacuated to Perth with Mum Priya after being hospitalised on Christmas Island with a suspected blood infection (sepsis).Please join us for a silent candlelight vigil for Tharni and show your support for the healthcare workers caring for her at Perth Children's Hospital.
Starting at the big "Perth Children's Hospital" sign on Winthrop Avenue, half-way between Abadare Avenue and Monash Avenue, we will form a chain of human "fairy lights" for Tharni, by standing with candles at two metre intervals along Winthrop Avenue, in front of the hospital.
Tharni has been unwell with vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness for 10 days, with her temperature sometimes exceeding 40 degrees. We understand that detention centre staff refused to take Tharnicaa to hospital until Sunday, despite repeated requests from Mum, Priya.
With her sister Kopika, QLD-born Tharni is one of only two children remaining in immigration detention in Australia. She is turning four on Saturday but has spent 80% of her life in detention. She has never been separated from her Dad Nades or sister Kopika before.
To ensure we can stay COVID-safe while showing our support for Tharni and the healthcare workers caring for her, we ask everyone attending to wear a mask, maintain a physical distance of two metres per person / household group and respect the silent nature of this vigil. We will have some candles available but please bring your own if you can (electric candles preferred for safety reasons).
We acknowledge that this event is being held on the lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, and pay respect to elders past and present. Freedom for asylum seekers and refugees is wound up in the ongoing struggle of the Aboriginal people of this land. This was, is, and always will be Aboriginal land.