Community rallies behind refugee family

Issue 

Susan Austin, Hobart

When the news broke on March 30 that a local El Salvadoran family was being threatened with deportation, the Socialist Alliance and Tasmanians for Refugees called a protest action for that afternoon.

The Refugee Review Tribunal had refused the family's application to stay in Australia and gave Vanessa Ceren (who is more than seven months' pregnant), her partner Nestor Rodriguez and their three children 30 days to leave the country. The family suffered political persecution in El Salvador before fleeing to Australia in 2004. All their family members now live in Hobart.

Thirty people attended the protest, which launched a campaign to raise funds for a legal appeal and build community support for the family. Within hours of the protest being announced, phones were ringing hot with people volunteering financial and legal assistance. Two Labor MPs, the Greens and the socialist youth organisation Resistance are also supporting the campaign.

From Green Left Weekly, April 5, 2006.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.


If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.