Resistance has always championed solidarity with refugees, in a political arena of racism and fear-mongering. Resistance is committed to building campaigns demanding dignity, respect and human rights for asylum seekers.
Recently, we have been reaching out to refugees who are detained like prisoners for legitimately seeking asylum in Australia. Group visits to Villawood detention centre in western Sydney were initiated by Sydney Resistance about three months ago. Wollongong and Newcastle Resistance branches have also been involved.
The visits have facilitated much-needed cultural engagement with these vulnerable people. They are kept completely removed from all daily interactions of Australian life.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s plan to move the “processing” of refugees to a Pacific nation is an attempt to isolate them even further.
The visits are open, publicly advertised and built around the goal of creating an Australia where refugees are greeted with open arms rather than cells and razor wire.
One solidarity visit, inspired by Resistance's initiative, was attended by 40 people. The same day, the Sydney Afghan community organised about 100 people to visit the detention centre.
Another big visit is planned for July 25, supported by the Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union and many migrant community organisations. We plan to hold a soccer match with the detained refugees as part of this visit. But this has led to the immigration department demanding extra paperwork be filled out.
So far, people who have taken part in the visits have heard tales of fear, war and destruction. One 25-year-old Tamil detainee told us he watched on in horror as his university professor was raped, tortured and then horrifically executed in front of her entire class.
Another Tamil described his 16-hour swim to shore after the unseaworthy boat he was escaping in sunk. Twelve of his friends were even unluckier than him; they drowned the night the boat (that was helping them flee war and oppression in Sri Lanka) sunk.
A recent poll on the Sydney Morning Herald’s website described the danger of refugee camps and war-torn countries then asked respondents what they would do in such a situation. Eighty-two percent said they would “get me/my family out by boat”; with only 18% saying they would “wait for however long proper processing takes”.
If we are to build an inclusive Australia, free of racism, we must always use our voice for those who have none, and exercise our rights when those of others are compromised. We must fight until the barbed wire around refugee processing centres is torn down, and our communities are places of hope and a brighter life rather than racism and separation.
Ring your local Resistance branch to find out about more plans to visit detention centres and build the campaign for refugee rights. Email Karl at
[Karl Amati is a member of the Sydney Resistance branch. For more information about Resistance, visit the Resistance website.]