BY ERIN CAROLAN
SYDNEY — On August 26, more than 130 students and teachers wore black armbands to mark Tampa Day at Fort Street High School. Fortians for Refugees hoped to promote increased awareness of the inhumane nature of mandatory detention through selling black armbands within the school. The results were excellent, with 15% of the school population of 900 directly involved, and many students expressing interest in further campaigns and FFR.
Even many of those students who declined to wear armbands asked for pamphlets in an effort to become better educated on the refugee issue. This revealed the rising levels of support and interest in the struggle for justice for asylum seekers. FFR raised more than $200 in donations, which will be used to purchase phone cards for detainees in Villawood.
Since April, when 15 Fort Street students attended the first meeting of FFR, the group has expanded to 60 members. FFR has been involved in major events such as the June 23 refugees' rights protest in Sydney, and has inspired similar student high school groups in the Sydney and Wollongong area. Several FFR members regularly visit the Villawood detention centre.
With the success of Tampa Day, FFR hopes to continue to stand up for refugees' rights. If you are a high school student interested in starting up a group at your school, email <fortians4refugees@yahoo.com> for more information.
From Green Left Weekly, September 4, 2002.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.