ARMIDALE has joined a series of national protests over a court decision clearing the way for almost 270 asylum seekers to be sent back to detention in Nauru.
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The High Court ruled on Wednesday that Australia’s offshore detention at Nauru and Manus Island was legal, sparking immediate calls for the federal government to reverse its decision to send the 267 asylum seekers, including infants, back to the central Pacific island nation.
Members of the Armidale Rural Australians for Refugees group immediately acted, hastily organising a meeting for Thursday night at the city’s Central Park.
And, there are now plans to hold a follow-up rally on Monday, Armidale Stands for Sanctuary.
Group member Bea Bleile said the turnout for Thursday’s rally, given it had been organised at such short notice, exceeded expectations.
“Fifty-five people turned out after only 24 hours’ notice at a time when Armidale hasn’t yet woken from its January slumber,” she said.
The group then walked through the local mall, “calling on the Australian government to let them stay”.
Ms Bleile said Armidale Rural Australians for Refugees wouldn’t rest until Australia treated all refugees and asylum seekers “as human beings”.
“(Monday’s) rally will coincide with events across Australia supported by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, ChilOut, the Council for Civil Liberties NSW, GetUp! and many other organisations,” she said.
The rally will start at 5.30pm in Central Park.
