BY LISA MACDONALD 
More than 13,000 people joined refugees' rights protests around Australia on the June 22-23 weekend. In many cities, these were the largest protests for refugees yet. According to refugees' rights supporters, this is just another indication that the government's racist policy of detaining refugees and asylum seekers can be beaten.
Say it loud, say it clear: Refugees are welcome here resonated through Sydney streets at the June 23 World Refugee Week march, which grew 7000 as passers-by joined in. The protesters were demanding not only an end to mandatory detention, but also full rights for asylum seekers, not temporary protection visas, and money for community settlement.
High school students were out in force for the rally, many organised by refugees' rights groups on their school. Some were joined by their teachers who had been encouraged to attend by the Independent Education Union (IEU).
The crowd also included many activists from Children Out of Detention (ChilOut), Free the Refugees Campaign, the Refugee Action Collective and some from church and anti-war networks. There were many more asylum seekers than have previously attended a refugees' rights protest in Sydney. Afghan asylum seeker Nooria Wazifadost's address (reprinted on page 9) brought tears to hundreds of faces.
The Socialist Alliance and the NSW Greens had strong contingents, and a handful of Democrats brought their banner, however, the major parties were noticeably absent.
Despite the failure of the Labor Council of NSW to endorse or build the rally, the IEU, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Activist Network, the National Tertiary Education Industry Union and the Public Sector Association were visible on the march.
The rally, chaired by radio personality Jaslyn Hall, was addressed by former immigration advisor Neville Roach; 16-year-old Wazifadost; Sheikh El Halili, the mufti of Australia; and Patrick Lee from the IEU. A message from author Thomas Keneally (reprinted on page 10) was read out.
The opening comment by El Halili, that this country would be better run by the rally organisers than the current government or opposition, brought loud cheers from the protesters.
The question of what next in the campaign was widely discussed probable events include protests on the anniversary of the Tampa incident (August 26) and October 19, the anniversary of the sinking of a boatload of asylum seekers.
In Melbourne, 2500 people protested on the same day, and 1500 came out in Canberra.
In Byron Bay,
A refugee freedom concert held on June 29 was attended by more than 100 people and raised more than $1000 for the Lismore Refugee Action Collective.
More than 500 people gathered for the June 23 refugees' rights protest in Adelaide, Tim Laurie and Danny Harkin report. Speakers included Lyn Breuer, ALP member for Giles, which covers the township of Woomera; Janet Giles, secretary of the United Trades and Labour Council and Hassan Varasi, an Afghan refugee.
From Darwin, Ruth Ratcliffe reports that more than 150 people gathered on June 23. Nathan Zweck from the Darwin Refugee Health Network told the crowd: We have to get so angry about this injustice that we discuss it in the lunch room at work, discuss it with our families, keep on talking, swell our numbers until we have convinced 51% of the population numbers is the only thing this government will listen to.
ALP Senator Trish Crossin called for mandatory detention to be replaced with a system of compulsory screening. She criticised the federal government for wasting money building the unused Coonawarra detention centre on the outskirts of Darwin. One member of the crowd stood with his back to Crossin throughout her speech.
Maddy Starr reports from Brisbane that 800 people rallied at King George Square on June 23. The crowd swelled significantly as it marched through city streets.
The rally was chaired by Hazara refugee Hasam Gulam who was met with cheers when he said If the government isn't changing it's refugee policy, then we should change the government!
Murri activist Sam Watson, a member of the Socialist Alliance, said that Australians must take a strong stand and demand that detention centres are closed. Grace Grace from the Queensland Council of Unions had agreed to speak, but failed to show up.
From Green Left Weekly, July 3, 2002.
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