Activists are scaling the west facing sail of the Sydney Opera House to unfurl a banner saying “Evacuate Manus #BringThemHere”.
The action is in response to the humanitarian crisis continuing to unfold on Manus Island. The group, WACA, have said they plan to keep the banner out for as long as possible.
“We are here today because the Australian government is failing to uphold basic human rights. We call on both Liberal and Labor to end offshore detention and bring the refugees here immediately,” said Lily Matchett, WACA Spokesperson.
“Right now men on Manus Island are starving, stricken with thirst, and suffering enormous torment. This is the result of incompetence, bigotry, and a sick political process. The Australian government must let New Zealand take 150 of the men today and bring the remaining 450 men to Australia and allow them to choose where they resettle.”
“The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s international icon. But increasingly, our country is internationally recognised for our human rights abuses to refugees,” said Laura Mastwyk, one of the climbers currently on the Opera House sail.
“This brutal policy has reduced us as a nation and a community. We act today in the interest of our own humanity not just the humanity of those left on Manus Island,” said Marco Avena, one of the climbers on the Opera House sail.
Lily Matchett, WACA
