This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2016/feb/04/let-them-stay-protesters-gather-around-australia-to-prevent-return-of-asylum-seekers-to-nauru
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Let Them Stay: protesters gather around Australia to prevent return of asylum seekers to Nauru – live | Let Them Stay: protesters gather around Australia to prevent return of asylum seekers to Nauru – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.27am GMT | |
| 02:27 | |
| Mohsen Soltani, an Iranian refugee and former Villawood detainee, spent four years in detention. “I have witnessed how the kids are going to be affected. They desperately need hope. But the bloody parties use them for their own propaganda. It’s a tragedy for Australia, it’s totally shameful. ... | |
| “The important thing is we’re not going to give up,” he says. | |
| #LetThemStay Sydney. Mohsen Soltani, Iranian refugee: what Australia is doing to #refugees is totally shameful pic.twitter.com/vqOfLOvC7O | |
| The crowd has marched around the square at Lee Street to the Department of Immigration’s offices – the entrance barred off by a police line. The MC has told the hundreds of gathered protesters that when the media, unions, churches and members of the community say to let asylum seekers stay in Australia, “Malcolm Turnbull has to hear”. | |
| March reaches entrance of Immigration Dept, police line telling people not to pass #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/dsYPJa3iD4 | |
| "Close the camps" the chant in front of the police line pic.twitter.com/wocyMC4ulG | |
| 2.08am GMT | |
| 02:08 | |
| Ken Canning of the Indigenous Social Justice Association has told protesters gathered in Sydney that it’s “cowardice to pick on the most vulnerable”. | |
| Indigenous campaigner Ken calls detention "murder by government policy" says it's racist in same way as colonialism pic.twitter.com/410OgMCzmF | |
| And now it’s the turn of Julia Mackin from Women Supporting Women in Detention (see the helpful clarification from Paul in his picture caption). “I don’t believe people would send refugees back to their rapists if they knew they had been raped and bashed,” she says – the movement for refugees’ rights is large and won’t be silenced. | |
| Julia Mackin from Women Supporting Women in Detention (the women, not detention) pic.twitter.com/6bUqCGRgfv | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.09am GMT | |
| 2.03am GMT | |
| 02:03 | |
| Now Gaby Judd of Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children is addressing the Sydney crowd. | |
| Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children speaker says Dutton is sending kids into harm's way #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/aREuINvlGZ | |
| Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children was founded in Melbourne in late 2014, after a group of friends met to share their concerns about asylum seeker children being held in offshore detention centres. | |
| Most of the group’s members have been educators in early childhood development in Victorian universities. All are grandmothers, and describe themselves as “deeply distressed” by reports – such as the one Professor Gillian Triggs at the Australian Human Rights Commission released today – that show the effects of being held in detention on children’s emotional, social and physical development. | |
| Grandmothers ADRC are planning a trip to Canberra in March to lobby the federal government in person to “free the children and their families from detention”. | |
| Sign: "please Turnbull it could be your grandson Jack" #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/ytrutNpRRp | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.03am GMT | |
| 1.55am GMT | 1.55am GMT |
| 01:55 | 01:55 |
| My colleague Paul Karp has spoken to Denise Wilton, former mayor of Mosman, at the Sydney demonstration. She’s pictured here with fellow protestors Marty Morrison and Terry Cutcliffe. | My colleague Paul Karp has spoken to Denise Wilton, former mayor of Mosman, at the Sydney demonstration. She’s pictured here with fellow protestors Marty Morrison and Terry Cutcliffe. |
| Campaigner Marty Morrison (L) Terry Cutcliffe (C) former Mosman Mayor Denise Wilton (R) at #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/BUlnODeRmV | Campaigner Marty Morrison (L) Terry Cutcliffe (C) former Mosman Mayor Denise Wilton (R) at #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/BUlnODeRmV |
| “I’m here because I am appalled that people escaping persecution are being incarcerated in places like Nauru and Manus that are ill equipped to deal w them. I feel a deep shame at the treatment of refugees.” | “I’m here because I am appalled that people escaping persecution are being incarcerated in places like Nauru and Manus that are ill equipped to deal w them. I feel a deep shame at the treatment of refugees.” |
| 1.52am GMT | 1.52am GMT |
| 01:52 | 01:52 |
| GetUp’s campaigns director Sally Rugg, at the protest on Lee St, tweeted that she called the Prime Minister’s office so that Malcolm Turnbull “could hear the chants of ‘let them stay’ from the rally down the phone”. | GetUp’s campaigns director Sally Rugg, at the protest on Lee St, tweeted that she called the Prime Minister’s office so that Malcolm Turnbull “could hear the chants of ‘let them stay’ from the rally down the phone”. |
| I just called Malcolm Turnbull's office so they could hear the chants of #LetThemStay from the rally down the phone pic.twitter.com/PZxrRPnlTZ | I just called Malcolm Turnbull's office so they could hear the chants of #LetThemStay from the rally down the phone pic.twitter.com/PZxrRPnlTZ |
| NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi is shown speaking in the shot above. The Refugee Action Coalition reports that she says Turnbull must rule out sending asylum seekers back to “offshore jails”. | NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi is shown speaking in the shot above. The Refugee Action Coalition reports that she says Turnbull must rule out sending asylum seekers back to “offshore jails”. |
| 1.47am GMT | 1.47am GMT |
| 01:47 | 01:47 |
| More scenes from the Sydney protest. | More scenes from the Sydney protest. |
| Ian Rintoul from @rac_sydney speaking to the crowd at the rally to #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/D5WrlHNRyZ | Ian Rintoul from @rac_sydney speaking to the crowd at the rally to #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/D5WrlHNRyZ |
| 'Shame Turnbull Shame!' Chants the crowd. Rightly so. #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/dKhFYyYRjN | 'Shame Turnbull Shame!' Chants the crowd. Rightly so. #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/dKhFYyYRjN |
| SIGN: 'Difficult issues never justify cruelty' #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/qJtjjBTuEa | SIGN: 'Difficult issues never justify cruelty' #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/qJtjjBTuEa |
| A good turnout at the Sydney snap action. Chants of 'Close Nauru!' #LetThemStay | A good turnout at the Sydney snap action. Chants of 'Close Nauru!' #LetThemStay |
| Kids don't belong in detention. Amen to that. They belong in schools, in parks & playgrounds, thriving. #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/Z4nj5zW8n4 | Kids don't belong in detention. Amen to that. They belong in schools, in parks & playgrounds, thriving. #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/Z4nj5zW8n4 |
| #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/SYZEmYltEZ | #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/SYZEmYltEZ |
| Large crowd of protesters rallying outside Dept of Immigration Sydney #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/LEApDd5ZBF | Large crowd of protesters rallying outside Dept of Immigration Sydney #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/LEApDd5ZBF |
| #LetThemStay Close Nauru pic.twitter.com/jwgW6ijsW0 | #LetThemStay Close Nauru pic.twitter.com/jwgW6ijsW0 |
| Mehreen Faruqi addressing the #letthemstay crowd pic.twitter.com/Ld5qkMraEl | Mehreen Faruqi addressing the #letthemstay crowd pic.twitter.com/Ld5qkMraEl |
| 1.38am GMT | 1.38am GMT |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| First protests kick off in Sydney | First protests kick off in Sydney |
| #LetThemStay Sydney rally about to start at Dept of Immigration, Lee St pic.twitter.com/gLBSonahWA | #LetThemStay Sydney rally about to start at Dept of Immigration, Lee St pic.twitter.com/gLBSonahWA |
| My colleague Paul Karp is outside the Department of Immigration on Lee St in central Sydney, where “a few hundred” protesters have gathered already. Their numbers are growing quite quickly, he tells me, and chants of “Let the children stay” and “let them stay” have begun. | My colleague Paul Karp is outside the Department of Immigration on Lee St in central Sydney, where “a few hundred” protesters have gathered already. Their numbers are growing quite quickly, he tells me, and chants of “Let the children stay” and “let them stay” have begun. |
| Hundreds now at Syd #letthemstay, chanting "refugees are welcome" and "shame Turnbull shame" @mlle_elle pic.twitter.com/9eCT1aId29 | Hundreds now at Syd #letthemstay, chanting "refugees are welcome" and "shame Turnbull shame" @mlle_elle pic.twitter.com/9eCT1aId29 |
| Paul’s spoken to a couple of protestors about what’s brought them out into the drizzly afternoon. | Paul’s spoken to a couple of protestors about what’s brought them out into the drizzly afternoon. |
| Carolyn Thornley, Uniting Church minister. At#Letthemstay because she doesn't believe kids & fam should be detained pic.twitter.com/czsQnDHmDJ | Carolyn Thornley, Uniting Church minister. At#Letthemstay because she doesn't believe kids & fam should be detained pic.twitter.com/czsQnDHmDJ |
| I don’t believe children and families should be in detention, nor should there be any offshore detention. The conditions at Nauru and Manus are not at all transparent. We need a whole change in how we treat asylum seekers, like Germany where people are flown in. Instead we have closed doors. | I don’t believe children and families should be in detention, nor should there be any offshore detention. The conditions at Nauru and Manus are not at all transparent. We need a whole change in how we treat asylum seekers, like Germany where people are flown in. Instead we have closed doors. |
| Tim Heffernan works at @MSF including in South Sudan. Here protesting High Court decision #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/c33xRRsuyn | Tim Heffernan works at @MSF including in South Sudan. Here protesting High Court decision #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/c33xRRsuyn |
| I decided to come after yesterday’s high court decision. I’ve been involved in passive protest such as sharing on social media, but felt that was preaching to people who already had the same stance, so came down to have my voice heard and be seen. | I decided to come after yesterday’s high court decision. I’ve been involved in passive protest such as sharing on social media, but felt that was preaching to people who already had the same stance, so came down to have my voice heard and be seen. |
| The audacity of the government and high court to declare offshore detention legal, despite breaches of international human rights law, is despicable. I don’t think the majority of people believe it is right. | The audacity of the government and high court to declare offshore detention legal, despite breaches of international human rights law, is despicable. I don’t think the majority of people believe it is right. |
| In purple are Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/bFLBae3Z1d | In purple are Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children #letthemstay pic.twitter.com/bFLBae3Z1d |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.40am GMT | at 1.40am GMT |
| 1.30am GMT | 1.30am GMT |
| 01:30 | 01:30 |
| Thanks for all of your photos and comments, you can continue to tweet them to my colleague Elle Hunt, who is about to take over this blog again from Sydney where the first of the demonstrations are about to kick off. | Thanks for all of your photos and comments, you can continue to tweet them to my colleague Elle Hunt, who is about to take over this blog again from Sydney where the first of the demonstrations are about to kick off. |
| I’ll leave you with a story from the Armidale Express, about a snap protest being planned for the regional NSW town. | I’ll leave you with a story from the Armidale Express, about a snap protest being planned for the regional NSW town. |
| Melissa Davey signing off for now. | Melissa Davey signing off for now. |
| 1.19am GMT | 1.19am GMT |
| 01:19 | 01:19 |
| At 12.30pm the first of the demonstrations, in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, will begin. | At 12.30pm the first of the demonstrations, in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, will begin. |
| People starting to gather for 12:30 #LetthemStay rally in Sydney outside Immigration Dept @MelissaLDavey pic.twitter.com/VELE7gbfcD | People starting to gather for 12:30 #LetthemStay rally in Sydney outside Immigration Dept @MelissaLDavey pic.twitter.com/VELE7gbfcD |
| .#LetThemStayTheir future, our futureThese children may grow up & their memories, stories and actions will be..... pic.twitter.com/aXXIPVKmvh | .#LetThemStayTheir future, our futureThese children may grow up & their memories, stories and actions will be..... pic.twitter.com/aXXIPVKmvh |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.22am GMT | at 1.22am GMT |
| 1.16am GMT | 1.16am GMT |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| According to the Refugee Rights Action Network, among the families detained in Perth directly affected by the High Court decision are a Syrian family with a young baby, and several married couples; | According to the Refugee Rights Action Network, among the families detained in Perth directly affected by the High Court decision are a Syrian family with a young baby, and several married couples; |
| All were brought to Australia from detention on Nauru in order to receive medical treatment and are currently being held in detention centres here in Perth. | All were brought to Australia from detention on Nauru in order to receive medical treatment and are currently being held in detention centres here in Perth. |
| Supporters of these people’s right to remain in Australia will be holding a vigil outside one of the facilities where they remain detained awaiting direct news of their fate. | Supporters of these people’s right to remain in Australia will be holding a vigil outside one of the facilities where they remain detained awaiting direct news of their fate. |
| Refugee supporters are in contact with these families and can confirm they are distressed and frightened over the fate that awaits them but grateful for the show of public support evident from the response to the government announcement of its intentions. | Refugee supporters are in contact with these families and can confirm they are distressed and frightened over the fate that awaits them but grateful for the show of public support evident from the response to the government announcement of its intentions. |
| We are calling upon the Turnbull government and Mr Dutton to recognise the vulnerability of these families and refrain from returning them to the damaging conditions on Nauru. We further call upon the government to release them into the community and process their refugee claims here in Australia. | We are calling upon the Turnbull government and Mr Dutton to recognise the vulnerability of these families and refrain from returning them to the damaging conditions on Nauru. We further call upon the government to release them into the community and process their refugee claims here in Australia. |
| Refugee Rights Action Network representatives and supporters will gather outside Perth Immigration Residential Housing from 6:30 pm. | Refugee Rights Action Network representatives and supporters will gather outside Perth Immigration Residential Housing from 6:30 pm. |
| Perth let's show #Dutton and #Turnbull that we want them to #LetThemStay and that they MUST #closeNauru pic.twitter.com/N1CVJEOXip | Perth let's show #Dutton and #Turnbull that we want them to #LetThemStay and that they MUST #closeNauru pic.twitter.com/N1CVJEOXip |
| 1.01am GMT | 1.01am GMT |
| 01:01 | 01:01 |
| People are using the hashtag #LetThemStay on Twitter to share their reaction to the High Court decision, and it has been trending for the past few hours. | People are using the hashtag #LetThemStay on Twitter to share their reaction to the High Court decision, and it has been trending for the past few hours. |
| As well as the various protests occurring around the country, people have begun gathering at churches with placards. As we mentioned earlier, churches and cathedrals in Australia are offering sanctuary to asylum seekers who have suffered trauma and abuse to prevent their return to Nauru. Story by Paul Farrell here. | As well as the various protests occurring around the country, people have begun gathering at churches with placards. As we mentioned earlier, churches and cathedrals in Australia are offering sanctuary to asylum seekers who have suffered trauma and abuse to prevent their return to Nauru. Story by Paul Farrell here. |
| We will put our building and our bodies on the line to protect asylum seekers. #Sanctuary #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/roX5Vi2dPh | We will put our building and our bodies on the line to protect asylum seekers. #Sanctuary #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/roX5Vi2dPh |
| Moral law cannot be ignored #Australia #LetThemStay #HumanRights #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/AWgDLhuDLt | Moral law cannot be ignored #Australia #LetThemStay #HumanRights #refugeeswelcome pic.twitter.com/AWgDLhuDLt |
| Meanwhile, here’s some more detail on the Newcastle protest courtesy of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The Centre is tweeting details of all the protests around the country, so follow them for updates about action that might be happening near you. | Meanwhile, here’s some more detail on the Newcastle protest courtesy of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The Centre is tweeting details of all the protests around the country, so follow them for updates about action that might be happening near you. |
| #Newcastle peepsPROTEST 5.30pm Today Wheeler PlaceSIGN PETITION https://t.co/YSGDs1Bktg#LetThemStay https://t.co/9ekTrqoyhj | #Newcastle peepsPROTEST 5.30pm Today Wheeler PlaceSIGN PETITION https://t.co/YSGDs1Bktg#LetThemStay https://t.co/9ekTrqoyhj |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.06am GMT | at 1.06am GMT |
| 12.50am GMT | 12.50am GMT |
| 00:50 | 00:50 |
| Daniel Hurst | Daniel Hurst |
| The deputy leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce, has been asked for his views about churches offering sanctuary to asylum seekers. | The deputy leader of the Nationals, Barnaby Joyce, has been asked for his views about churches offering sanctuary to asylum seekers. |
| He acknowledges the goodwill of the leaders who have taken the stand, but defends the “moral point” of the government’s policy to deter boat arrivals; | He acknowledges the goodwill of the leaders who have taken the stand, but defends the “moral point” of the government’s policy to deter boat arrivals; |
| Well, you know, they’re following their heart and following their views but they’ve also got to follow the laws of the land and I hear what they say, can I suggest that if we are to go back to the former policy then the fruits of their endeavours will be ashes in their mouth because we will go back to people drowning and I don’t think anybody wants that. | Well, you know, they’re following their heart and following their views but they’ve also got to follow the laws of the land and I hear what they say, can I suggest that if we are to go back to the former policy then the fruits of their endeavours will be ashes in their mouth because we will go back to people drowning and I don’t think anybody wants that. |
| Nobody really wants to revel in being tough, no-one wants to make it their badge of honour that they have to be hard on this policy issue, but no-one should delude themselves that the alternative to the policy, which I think now is adopted by the Labor party as well, is that people will swindle other people, vulnerable people, out of money, they will put them on boats they really don’t care about and an indeterminate number of people will drown. Mums, kids, other people. | Nobody really wants to revel in being tough, no-one wants to make it their badge of honour that they have to be hard on this policy issue, but no-one should delude themselves that the alternative to the policy, which I think now is adopted by the Labor party as well, is that people will swindle other people, vulnerable people, out of money, they will put them on boats they really don’t care about and an indeterminate number of people will drown. Mums, kids, other people. |
| What is the moral point of that? What is the moral point of us putting someone in a position where the consequences of our lax policy are the death of we don’t know, possibly thousands, on our watch? We had to stop that. We did stop that. | What is the moral point of that? What is the moral point of us putting someone in a position where the consequences of our lax policy are the death of we don’t know, possibly thousands, on our watch? We had to stop that. We did stop that. |
| 12.48am GMT | 12.48am GMT |
| 00:48 | 00:48 |
| The minister for immigration and border protection, Peter Dutton, issued a media release an hour or so ago. The gist of it is that the government believes tough border protection measures stop people smuggling and “ensure the sovereignty of Australia’s borders remain in full force”. Here are some direct quotes from the minister; | The minister for immigration and border protection, Peter Dutton, issued a media release an hour or so ago. The gist of it is that the government believes tough border protection measures stop people smuggling and “ensure the sovereignty of Australia’s borders remain in full force”. Here are some direct quotes from the minister; |
| Australia has removed more than 20 boats from our waters over the past two years and our policy to turn back people smuggling boats to their country of departure will continue. | Australia has removed more than 20 boats from our waters over the past two years and our policy to turn back people smuggling boats to their country of departure will continue. |
| The Government also remains committed to regional processing which, beyond our comprehensive on-water measures, provides a further deterrent to people who might otherwise attempt to travel illegally by boat to Australia. | The Government also remains committed to regional processing which, beyond our comprehensive on-water measures, provides a further deterrent to people who might otherwise attempt to travel illegally by boat to Australia. |
| My message is that there are only two outcomes for people who travel illegally by boat to Australia: they will be intercepted and turned back from Australian waters or they will be sent to another country for processing. | My message is that there are only two outcomes for people who travel illegally by boat to Australia: they will be intercepted and turned back from Australian waters or they will be sent to another country for processing. |
| Processing and resettlement in Australia will never be an option and there are no exceptions; these rules apply to everyone. | Processing and resettlement in Australia will never be an option and there are no exceptions; these rules apply to everyone. |
| People who seek to use a people smuggler to get to Australia risk losing everything, including their lives and the lives of family members. | People who seek to use a people smuggler to get to Australia risk losing everything, including their lives and the lives of family members. |
| 12.41am GMT | 12.41am GMT |
| 00:41 | 00:41 |
| Ben Doherty | Ben Doherty |
| Some further points from the Australian Human Rights Commission; | Some further points from the Australian Human Rights Commission; |
| The human rights commission has written to the government highlighting 50 ‘cases of concern’ of children in detention. These are the most seriously traumatised children in the detention system. The government, the AHRC says, has committed to responding individually to these cases. | The human rights commission has written to the government highlighting 50 ‘cases of concern’ of children in detention. These are the most seriously traumatised children in the detention system. The government, the AHRC says, has committed to responding individually to these cases. |
| The immigration minister Peter Dutton has said in several interviews each case for removal to Nauru would be assessed individually, and committed “we will not be sending people back to harm”. | The immigration minister Peter Dutton has said in several interviews each case for removal to Nauru would be assessed individually, and committed “we will not be sending people back to harm”. |
| Professor Gillian Triggs said she welcomed the commitment individual assessment, rather than a “blanket approach”. | Professor Gillian Triggs said she welcomed the commitment individual assessment, rather than a “blanket approach”. |
| “You would have thought, on any rational analysis, and in light of the medical evidence, that you would have to conclude that the best interests of every one of those children is to remain in Australia.” | “You would have thought, on any rational analysis, and in light of the medical evidence, that you would have to conclude that the best interests of every one of those children is to remain in Australia.” |
| #wearebetterthanthis #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/JUfQWXo17s | #wearebetterthanthis #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/JUfQWXo17s |
| 12.39am GMT | 12.39am GMT |
| 00:39 | 00:39 |
| Melissa Davey with you from Melbourne - if you are attending one of the protests today you can tweet your photos and comments to me @MelissaLDavey. | Melissa Davey with you from Melbourne - if you are attending one of the protests today you can tweet your photos and comments to me @MelissaLDavey. |
| In the meantime, here’s Guardian Australia’s immigration reporter, Ben Doherty, with some more from Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera; | In the meantime, here’s Guardian Australia’s immigration reporter, Ben Doherty, with some more from Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera; |
| Paediatricians, Drs Elliot and Gunasekera, said the mental health of children was further damaged by being cared for by traumatised parents. | Paediatricians, Drs Elliot and Gunasekera, said the mental health of children was further damaged by being cared for by traumatised parents. |
| “It’s effectively neglect when you have a very depressed mother who can’t engage and bond with her baby. That baby may well suffer developmentally, fail to develop speech, fail to develop physically, and, in fact, fail to thrive, despite an adequate diet, because of that emotional deprivation,” Dr Elliot said. | “It’s effectively neglect when you have a very depressed mother who can’t engage and bond with her baby. That baby may well suffer developmentally, fail to develop speech, fail to develop physically, and, in fact, fail to thrive, despite an adequate diet, because of that emotional deprivation,” Dr Elliot said. |
| On Christmas Island, there were 15 women with babies under a year old who had attempted suicide and were on 24-hour suicide watch. | On Christmas Island, there were 15 women with babies under a year old who had attempted suicide and were on 24-hour suicide watch. |
| “Many of them just couldn’t engage with their babies.” | “Many of them just couldn’t engage with their babies.” |
| Dr Gunasekera said babies born in detention - who knew no life other than detention - were being traumatised by their parents’ depression and ill-health. | Dr Gunasekera said babies born in detention - who knew no life other than detention - were being traumatised by their parents’ depression and ill-health. |
| “Many of them have lived their entire lives behind these fences, in some cases electrified fences which is just horrific.” | “Many of them have lived their entire lives behind these fences, in some cases electrified fences which is just horrific.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.05am GMT | at 1.05am GMT |
| 12.30am GMT | 12.30am GMT |
| 00:30 | 00:30 |
| Rod Bower, Anglican priest and Archdeacon of the Central Coast’s Gosford Anglican Church, has likened the federal government’s treatment of asylum seekers to Nazi Germany. | Rod Bower, Anglican priest and Archdeacon of the Central Coast’s Gosford Anglican Church, has likened the federal government’s treatment of asylum seekers to Nazi Germany. |
| #auspol can't deny the similarities to Nazi Germany. #Sanctuary at @anggoscom for #asylumseekers #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/HL98po1Or8 | #auspol can't deny the similarities to Nazi Germany. #Sanctuary at @anggoscom for #asylumseekers #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/HL98po1Or8 |
| The Gosford Anglican Church is one of the several across Australia offering sanctuary to asylum seekers at risk of deportation, despite warnings from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. | The Gosford Anglican Church is one of the several across Australia offering sanctuary to asylum seekers at risk of deportation, despite warnings from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. |
| With the first of the nationwide protests starting in an hour’s time, I’m handing over coverage to my colleague in Melbourne, Melissa Davey. | With the first of the nationwide protests starting in an hour’s time, I’m handing over coverage to my colleague in Melbourne, Melissa Davey. |
| 12.21am GMT | 12.21am GMT |
| 00:21 | 00:21 |
| Immigration minister Peter Dutton has warned the churches and cathedrals offering sanctuary to the asylum seekers at risk of being deported to Nauru that the government expects them to obey the law. | Immigration minister Peter Dutton has warned the churches and cathedrals offering sanctuary to the asylum seekers at risk of being deported to Nauru that the government expects them to obey the law. |
| The Australian has reported Dutton’s interview on Sydney’s 2GB radio: | The Australian has reported Dutton’s interview on Sydney’s 2GB radio: |
| “Churches provide a lot of assistance to refugees and they feel very strongly about these issues, I understand that. In the end people have to abide by Australian law, no matter who you are. | “Churches provide a lot of assistance to refugees and they feel very strongly about these issues, I understand that. In the end people have to abide by Australian law, no matter who you are. |
| “We’ll deal with issues compassionately and sensibly, but there were 1200 people who drowned at sea trying to get to Australia including women and children, and there were 8000 children in detention when Labor was in power, and I’ve reduced that number down to 80. | “We’ll deal with issues compassionately and sensibly, but there were 1200 people who drowned at sea trying to get to Australia including women and children, and there were 8000 children in detention when Labor was in power, and I’ve reduced that number down to 80. |
| “I want to be the minister that gets kids out of detention and keeps boats stopped at the same time.” | “I want to be the minister that gets kids out of detention and keeps boats stopped at the same time.” |
| The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, Peter Catt, told the Australian said the church and cathedrals’ offer to shield asylum-seekers under the ancient Christian tradition is “an extraordinary step ... that will attract the attention of church communities around the world”. | The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, Peter Catt, told the Australian said the church and cathedrals’ offer to shield asylum-seekers under the ancient Christian tradition is “an extraordinary step ... that will attract the attention of church communities around the world”. |
| Shen Narayanasamy, human rights director of the advocacy organisation GetUp, has publicly praised the religious groups’ move. | Shen Narayanasamy, human rights director of the advocacy organisation GetUp, has publicly praised the religious groups’ move. |
| “Today we welcome the strong leadership of the churches in what is now a massive campaign of civil disobedience. | “Today we welcome the strong leadership of the churches in what is now a massive campaign of civil disobedience. |
| “The least these people deserve is our protection, where the government will not provide that, the churches have stepped in. | “The least these people deserve is our protection, where the government will not provide that, the churches have stepped in. |
| “The Prime Minister will need to push past church leaders and tear down the doors of the church to get to asylum seekers. What does he plan to do now? | “The Prime Minister will need to push past church leaders and tear down the doors of the church to get to asylum seekers. What does he plan to do now? |
| “The churches’ stand shows Australians will not stand back and let this abuse continue.” | “The churches’ stand shows Australians will not stand back and let this abuse continue.” |
| GetUp’s petition calling on Dutton to let the 267 asylum seekers stay has had more than 50,000 signatures in fewer than 48 hours. | GetUp’s petition calling on Dutton to let the 267 asylum seekers stay has had more than 50,000 signatures in fewer than 48 hours. |
| 11.54pm GMT | 11.54pm GMT |
| 23:54 | 23:54 |
| Professor Gillian Triggs, the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, is this morning presenting a new report that reveals the impacts of detention on children, informed by interviews and medical testing of children at the Wickham Point detention facility. Many of the children had spent time in Nauru. | Professor Gillian Triggs, the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, is this morning presenting a new report that reveals the impacts of detention on children, informed by interviews and medical testing of children at the Wickham Point detention facility. Many of the children had spent time in Nauru. |
| Introducing the report at a media briefing in Sydney earlier this morning, Triggs spoke of the “disturbing” findings of the earlier Forgotten Children report: | Introducing the report at a media briefing in Sydney earlier this morning, Triggs spoke of the “disturbing” findings of the earlier Forgotten Children report: |
| This Report examined the impact of prolonged mandatory, indefinite immigration detention on the mental and physical heath of children. The findings were disturbing. In short, detention, whether on Christmas Island, Nauru or centres on the Australian mainland, is dangerous and unsafe for children. 34% of the hundreds of children we visited had severe to moderate mental illness, compared to 2% of children in the Australian community. Their health and wellbeing, and that of their parents, was at risk from cramped conditions in tents and remodelled containers, inadequate health care, even sexual and other assaults. | This Report examined the impact of prolonged mandatory, indefinite immigration detention on the mental and physical heath of children. The findings were disturbing. In short, detention, whether on Christmas Island, Nauru or centres on the Australian mainland, is dangerous and unsafe for children. 34% of the hundreds of children we visited had severe to moderate mental illness, compared to 2% of children in the Australian community. Their health and wellbeing, and that of their parents, was at risk from cramped conditions in tents and remodelled containers, inadequate health care, even sexual and other assaults. |
| Two consultant paediatricians involved in the production of this new report, Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera, are also speaking at the briefing. | Two consultant paediatricians involved in the production of this new report, Professor Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Hasantha Gunasekera, are also speaking at the briefing. |
| My colleague, Guardian Australia’s immigration correspondent Ben Doherty, will be filing more shortly. In the meantime, the Human Rights Commission and some of those present are live-tweeting. | My colleague, Guardian Australia’s immigration correspondent Ben Doherty, will be filing more shortly. In the meantime, the Human Rights Commission and some of those present are live-tweeting. |
| Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights | Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights |
| Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights | Prof Elliott and Dr Gunasekera recommended under no circumstances should any child detained on mainland be sent to Naura @AusHumanRights |
| Paediatrician Elizabeth Elliott AM says she fears for these #children if sent back to #Nauru. Very high levels of self-harm, despair | Paediatrician Elizabeth Elliott AM says she fears for these #children if sent back to #Nauru. Very high levels of self-harm, despair |
| Offshore detention the most damaging to children https://t.co/NzGcJEODKv | Offshore detention the most damaging to children https://t.co/NzGcJEODKv |
| Dr Gunasekera says many #children born behind fences in immigration detention - they know no other life https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw | Dr Gunasekera says many #children born behind fences in immigration detention - they know no other life https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw |
| Dr Gunasekera says we can't forget these families have already fled traumatic events https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw | Dr Gunasekera says we can't forget these families have already fled traumatic events https://t.co/hwdHR3byaY #AusLaw |
| @AusHumanRights removing blanket provisions offers asylum seekers in detention some hope | @AusHumanRights removing blanket provisions offers asylum seekers in detention some hope |
| @AusHumanRights would like to see all children and families remain in Australia. | @AusHumanRights would like to see all children and families remain in Australia. |
| Dr Elizabeth Elliott AM says that mismatch between the severity of mental health problems in detention and availability of specialists | Dr Elizabeth Elliott AM says that mismatch between the severity of mental health problems in detention and availability of specialists |
| Prof Elliott has raised 50 severely traumatised children with gov for review | Prof Elliott has raised 50 severely traumatised children with gov for review |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.06am GMT | at 12.06am GMT |
| 11.40pm GMT | 11.40pm GMT |
| 23:40 | 23:40 |
| Cartoonist Judy Horacek has tweeted her cartoon from today’s Age. | Cartoonist Judy Horacek has tweeted her cartoon from today’s Age. |
| My cartoon from today's Age #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/D8Qjgd6REM | My cartoon from today's Age #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/D8Qjgd6REM |
| 11.35pm GMT | 11.35pm GMT |
| 23:35 | 23:35 |
| The first of today’s demonstrations will be held in Sydney, with protesters gathering outside the Department of Immigration and, in the Blue Mountains, the Leura Mall at 12.30pm AEDT. | The first of today’s demonstrations will be held in Sydney, with protesters gathering outside the Department of Immigration and, in the Blue Mountains, the Leura Mall at 12.30pm AEDT. |
| Among those scheduled to speak at the central Sydney demonstration are the NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi and Gaby Judd of Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children. | Among those scheduled to speak at the central Sydney demonstration are the NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi and Gaby Judd of Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children. |
| Protests will begin in Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra at 5.30pm, and in Perth at 6.30pm AWST. | Protests will begin in Newcastle, Melbourne and Canberra at 5.30pm, and in Perth at 6.30pm AWST. |
| A snap protest has been called for this afternoon in Bendigo, Victoria – there’s more details on Facebook. | A snap protest has been called for this afternoon in Bendigo, Victoria – there’s more details on Facebook. |
| There are two planned in Adelaide – this afternoon at 5.30pm ACDT and tomorrow at 4pm. | There are two planned in Adelaide – this afternoon at 5.30pm ACDT and tomorrow at 4pm. |
| Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston will follow tomorrow afternoon, with demonstrations in Darwin and Central Coast scheduled on Monday evening. Let me know in the comments or on Twitter if you hear of any others organised. | Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston will follow tomorrow afternoon, with demonstrations in Darwin and Central Coast scheduled on Monday evening. Let me know in the comments or on Twitter if you hear of any others organised. |
| #LetThemStay protests planned in the coming days so far – let me know if you know of any more pic.twitter.com/iUOTxeQ1om | #LetThemStay protests planned in the coming days so far – let me know if you know of any more pic.twitter.com/iUOTxeQ1om |
| Many of the demonstrations have been organised by the Refugee Action Coalition as part of “national mobilisations” to call on the government to let the 267 asylum seekers and refugees stay in Australia. | Many of the demonstrations have been organised by the Refugee Action Coalition as part of “national mobilisations” to call on the government to let the 267 asylum seekers and refugees stay in Australia. |
| Spokesman Ian Rintoul said the government could not hide its responsibility for offshore processing behind the high court’s ruling on Wednesday. | Spokesman Ian Rintoul said the government could not hide its responsibility for offshore processing behind the high court’s ruling on Wednesday. |
| “In the higher court of public opinion, everyone knows that Australia is responsible. ... The government has always had the power not to send asylum seekers back to offshore detention.” | “In the higher court of public opinion, everyone knows that Australia is responsible. ... The government has always had the power not to send asylum seekers back to offshore detention.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.37pm GMT | at 11.37pm GMT |
| 11.04pm GMT | 11.04pm GMT |
| 23:04 | 23:04 |
| Elle Hunt | Elle Hunt |
| Good morning. | Good morning. |
| Protests will be held across Australia today against the potential return of asylum seekers who have suffered trauma and abuse to Nauru. | Protests will be held across Australia today against the potential return of asylum seekers who have suffered trauma and abuse to Nauru. |
| On Wednesday the high court ruled Australia’s offshore detention regime on Nauru had been lawfully established, meaning that up to 267 asylum seekers on the mainland – including a five-year-old child, and more than 30 babies – could be sent back to the island nation. | On Wednesday the high court ruled Australia’s offshore detention regime on Nauru had been lawfully established, meaning that up to 267 asylum seekers on the mainland – including a five-year-old child, and more than 30 babies – could be sent back to the island nation. |
| Anglican and Uniting churches around the country have offered them sanctuary at the risk of being charged with offences such as obstruction or even “concealing and harbouring non-citizens”. | Anglican and Uniting churches around the country have offered them sanctuary at the risk of being charged with offences such as obstruction or even “concealing and harbouring non-citizens”. |
| The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, said on ABC Radio National this morning the decision to offer refuge was because of “irrefutable evidence” that the circumstances faced by asylum seekers on Nauru is “tantamount to state-sanctioned abuse”. | The Anglican Dean of Brisbane, the Very Reverend Dr Peter Catt, said on ABC Radio National this morning the decision to offer refuge was because of “irrefutable evidence” that the circumstances faced by asylum seekers on Nauru is “tantamount to state-sanctioned abuse”. |
| The Refugee Action Coalition has organised protests to be held across the country in the coming days to call on the government to let the asylum seekers and refugees remain in Australia. | The Refugee Action Coalition has organised protests to be held across the country in the coming days to call on the government to let the asylum seekers and refugees remain in Australia. |
| We’ll be reporting from the protests today, as well as on other reaction to the high court ruling. If you’re planning to attend a demonstration, please do tweet me from the scene – I’m on Twitter at @mlle_elle. | We’ll be reporting from the protests today, as well as on other reaction to the high court ruling. If you’re planning to attend a demonstration, please do tweet me from the scene – I’m on Twitter at @mlle_elle. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.22pm GMT | at 11.22pm GMT |