BY OWAIN LEWIS-JONES
& RUTH RATCLIFFE
DARWIN — At a public meeting on February 5, addressed by activists from the Refugee Freedom Bus, a range of groups and individuals decided to form a Refugee Action Network (RAN).
The first meeting was attended representatives from many groups, including the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Amnesty International, the Australian Association of Social Workers, the Socialist Alliance and the socialist youth group Resistance. Teachers and high school students also attended.
The diverse group unanimously agreed that RAN's demands be: close the detention centres; end mandatory detention; and full citizen rights not temporary protection visas.
The group agreed to call a rally and march for March 15, starting 12.30pm, in Raintree Park. The march will end at Parliament House. RAN will also hold stalls in shopping centres and suburban markets and distribute its "Debunking the myths" fact sheet.
RAN meets at 5.30pm, each Thursday, at 8 Cavanagh St, Darwin. Phone Owain or Chris on (08) 8981 4714.
From Green Left Weekly, March 6, 2002.
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