August 27, 2005: Tampa Day Commemoration

KASAMA Vol. 19 No. 3 / July-August-September 2005 / Solidarity Philippines Australia Network

The Refugee Action Collective and Amnesty International joined forces with other asylum seeker and refugee advocates to bring their issues of concern to public attention with two major activities: the Tampa Day Commemoration and a national Day of Action for Vivian Solon (see article: september 7, 2005: National Day of Action for Vivian Solon).

Brisbane’s Tampa Day commemoration was shared by a broad spectrum of activists. Speakers included Chaman Shah, former Nauru detainee; Marion Le; Qld MP Karen Struthers; Dave Perry, Maritime Union of Australia; RAC organiser Ian Rintoul; Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett; Juanita Wheeler, Qld. Greens; Dee Hunt, SPAN/CPCA; and Roy Groom from Amnesty International.

The march paused at the Nepalese Peace Pagoda where Believing Women and the Multi–Faith Centre organised a gathering of prayers for peace.

At the Qld. College of Arts, Hassan Ghulam from the Hazara Ethnic Society introduced a documentary film about Nauru, followed by a BBQ at the Romero Centre in honour of Marian Le’s work.

More background information about Vivian’s case: