Steve Biddulph addresses the congregation
Over two hundred people participated in a joyful walk through the rainy streets of Launceston and celebration on Sunday afternoon.
The community walk was a positive expression of deep concern in our community for the ongoing indefinite detention of refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island.
Due to the weather, the post-walk celebration had a change of venue to City Baptist Church in Frederick Street. Author and psychologist Steve Biddulph addressed the crowd saying, “When governments act badly we must speak up.”
Local Chin woman, Zodin, movingly shared about her experiences in a persecuted minority in Myanmar and then in transit. She arrived in Launceston as a primary school child. A student at UTAS, Zodin is very thankful for the new start given to her family.
Sharon Wright from MRC North also spoke about the numbers of new families moving in Launceston and the services being provided. MRC can only operate successfully because of its large number of volunteers.
A highlight of the program was a time of silent reflection as paper bag lanterns were lit and the lights dimmed.
The Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees was organised by churches, the Migrant Resource Centre North and Unions Tasmania.
It was part of a wave of Walks held across the nation – in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Wollongong, Perth, Bendigo, Townsville, Darwin, Launceston, Lennox Head, Taree and Forster.
Another walk is already being planned for Palm Sunday in 2018.
Jeff McKinnon, City Baptist Church, Launceston
