On April 2 the organisers of the March 31 refugees rights protest at Villawood received a faxed letter from the detention centre, here are some excerpts:
We, residents of the Villawood detention centre, very much appreciate and thank you for the demonstration held outside the centre on March 31. Even though we are isolated and couldn't see you, but we could hear thousands of people yelling for our freedom, bravo!!!
In response to your support we spontaneously pulled down couple of fences. Unfortunately we're forced back and they made short video of what we're doing. With this evidence, we heard that some of our brothers in stage III will be soon transferred to stage I (stage I is most restricted stage). Now, many of us are more devastated and worried waiting for what next ACM mentally punishment.
Though we're desperately waiting for our freedom, with your support and by telling the world of our appalling circumstances, we have faith that the day will come very soon. In the meanwhile we desperately need our living conditions in this detention centre to be improved. We've requested many times with the management but no avail.
From the bottom of our heart, please kindly accept our simple but meaningful way of thanking you in our language by saying: Shie-shie (Chinese), Shokran Lakom (Arabic), Terima kasih (Indonesian), Cam on (Vietnamese), Askarek (Iraqi), Kelimamnun (Iranian), Kamsahamida (Korean), Dhanwyad (Indian), Dhanwobad (Bangladesh), Obrigado (Portuguese), Gracias (Spanish), Malo 'Aupito (Tongan), Vinaka Vakalevu (Fijian), Shay Zu Tin Bada (Burmese), Ese Gan (Nigerian), Kuseh (Sierra Leone), Salamat (Philippine), The William Wallace Freedom (Scottish), and many other languages which we don't have room to write down all. These languages are collected from the residents of stage III.
From Green Left Weekly, April 10, 2002.
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