Solidarity with the refugee 24/7 protest

The Refugee Action Collective (Vic) stands in solidarity with the refugees who have been protesting for permanent visas around the clock in Oakleigh and now the Docklands for almost three weeks.

Many of them have spent up to 12 years in limbo, on six-month visas and facing the potential threat of deportation. They are experiencing intense mental anguish thanks to Australia’s cruel border protection policy.

We admire their courage and determination. We have visited the protests many times and will continue to do so.

However, we were alarmed and saddened to hear that the refugees were harassed by three racists on the night of Friday 2 August while they were marching on Harbour Esplanade.

One former refugee suffered a dislocated shoulder in the scuffle and needed hospital treatment.

The racists shouted hurtful insults about visas. Such slurs ultimately come from successive governments that have demonised asylum-seekers who arrived by boat as “illegals”, “queue jumpers” and as some kind of undefined threat to the community.

The three men carried out the harassment but they were fuelled by the kind of arguments voiced by Scott Morrison, Peter Dutton, Clare O’Neil and now Tony Burke.

We urge all refugee supporters to visit the ongoing protest outside the Department of Home Affairs at 808 Bourke Street, Docklands. You are welcome at any time, day or night.

The protesters tell us they don’t need blankets or other supplies – what they value most is solidarity.

Our strength of numbers and our unity is the best response to the racists, whether they are random passers-by or ministers in suits.

4 August 2024