These are the Australians whose voices we need to hear

I was angry when I left the house today to attend the #LetThemStay rally outside the Department of Immigration. I was angry at Malcolm Turnbull, I was incensed by Peter Dutton and inside I was a seething mess because of the whole hideous situation in Australia. It continues to astound me that anybody could behave so heartlessly as to send people who had escaped persecution to hell. To a destination devoid of hope, a place of horror and abuse. It sickens me. Makes my insides curdle when I think about it. Brings tears to my eyes.

I am not a crowds person, I am not a go-to-a-rally-alone person but I was fuelled by my anger and I didn’t think about it long enough to let it stop me. I needed to be there, I needed to show that I do not stand with the government on its asylum seeker policies, I needed to step away from behind the keyboard where I was reading and becoming angrier and get to a place where I could physically show my support.

But the strangest thing happened when I got there. My anger left me momentarily in the strangest way.

I was, and am still incensed by the government’s actions (and the Labor party), but rather than feeling just that wrath I felt something more akin to gratitude and relief. I was just one of around 300 people at this rally but each and every one of the people there were as passionate about human rights as I believe I am. There were people who spoke about what they were doing to help change policies – not just whinging about how bad it is, but making vigorous moves to change it. There were people who are active each and every single day in making our voices heard. And this was just a small group in Sydney. Similar protests would take place all around Australia today and tomorrow.

Our government may be cold hearted and brutal but there are many Australians who represent the very opposite coverage.

For people with this condition, the generic cialis levitra http://www.learningworksca.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/BasicSkills_booklet-2.pdf result is irritating or annoying or sometimes debilitating. And as it was discussed earlier than one doesn’t need a prescription too to viagra samples http://www.learningworksca.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/004-Testing-and-Beyond-Panelist-and-Facilitator-Bios.pdf be taken as a huge compliment. Be in the moment and focus on pleasing the other partner. tadalafil discount It is totally cialis samples in canada safe for human health. I know this not just from today but also from a group I belong to that goes under the name of Mums 4 Refugees. They are a group of the most affirming, amazing women you could ever meet. Many times in the past the kindness they offer and the humanity they bring to asylum seekers has buoyed me through reading awful stories of despair. These are the people who work in jobs, look after their kids and families and still give their all to people who seek protection in Australia.

They were there today. As were the Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children, union groups, individuals, student groups. They were people there who truly care about other people, the individuals who truly represent Australia – committed, caring and compassionate.

These people are the salve for our anger, the balm for our hurt. I was proud to be one of them today.

Let’s make our voices heard Australia.

Comments

  1. So proud of you for going I wish I could have gone with you xo

  2. I really don’t think people can imagine themselves in these refugees place and as a result they can distance themselves from the reality of what these people are experiencing. I don’t want to think of Australians as lacking compassion but the majority of people I know don’t seem to give 2 hoots about refugees as they are portrayed as a burden to the country..potential terrorists etc

    • I believe that the government has gone a long way to making us believed this – removing any humanity from them and making them into the enemy. It’s disturbing as it is frightening

  3. Did you also protest when over one thousand died at sea due to the opening of our borders by Kevin Rudd? Did you also protest when there were over 2000 children in detention? Do you feel any rage at people who lead good lives but want better lives and are putting their lives and their children’s lives at risk by hopping on leaky boats?

    So easy to feel keyboard angst and attend meetings. What about the children who have died in the oceans on leaky boats on the way to Australia? And what about the thousands who are marooned in refugee camps because others have paid people smugglers to take their place?
    What about the people on Nauru who can return home if they choose because they have not come from a war zone?

    It’s so complicated and certainly not an ideal situation here in Australia with our boat people but I am so glad that we are not Europe.

    • Yes M I did protest when thousands of people died at sea when they should have been given safe passage. I protest about an children in detention but I don’t feel rage at any one who lives in a war torn country and I believe you are being absolutely naive when you say that ANYONE lives a good life when there are bombs exploding in your city centre.

      I was born in South Africa and I left there because I did not believe it was a safe place to bring up children – it’s not a safe place, it has one of the highest crime and rape rates in the world so I had every right to feel scared about bringing up a child there. But it is NOTHING in comparison to living in a war zone. Nothing.

      Imagine buildings blowing up around you, a city in complete decay, no food or provisions getting to you and tell me you wouldn’t grab your children and go. I know from other comments that you have left on my blog that you adore your children and you would do anything for them – mothers in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan are no different to you. You may speak a different language or practise a different religion but you are both human. Compassion will never cost you anything.

      • Oh please get off your high horse. You know nothing about me or what I have or have not suffered. I am certainly not naive. And I know more about suffering than you will ever know. Be greatful for that.

        I am glad there are no more boats coming. I am glad we are not Europe.
        I am glad we are helping thousands in refugee camps to come to Australia.

      • By the way, I should have added I don’t have to imagine any of the scenarios you have described. What I have suffered is far worse.

    • Margaret-Paige says

      I regularly read Mamamia during the years when Rudd was prime minister. As I recall you often would present with written crocodile tears every time news came through that another boatload of people had lost their lives on the high seas. You followed the company line blaming every loss of life on Tony Abbott and the opposition. Never once did you criticise the Rudd governments policies that encouraged people smugglers to go ahead and make a quick buck. I do not remember an occasion when you called out the Greens when they suggested that death on the high seas was better than the alternative of remaining in the safe country from which refugees set sail.

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