On Palm Sunday, 29 March, more than 1,000 people from across the Canberra community and beyond came together in support of refugees and migrants, and to make a stand against racism. Community groups and organisations that marched in the rally in contingents included churches, unions, peace and environmental activists and students. It was great to see so many people willing to step up and have their voices heard.

The Palm Sunday ‘Refugees and Migrants are Welcome Here’ rally in Canberra’s city centre was an important step in the campaign against racism. However, with One Nation intent on whipping up Islamophobia, the Coalition busy blaming migrants for lack of housing, cost of living and more, and the Albanese Government focused on blocking and stripping visas and deporting people to Nauru, the demonisation of refugees and migrants seems set to continue all the way to the next federal election.

It is critical that we continue to build and strengthen the campaign so that our message of welcome and anti-racism is echoed and amplified.

Speakers at the rally included: Senator David Pocock, Reverend Belinda Groves and Amnesty International’s Zaki Haidari.

The evidence shows that refugees and migrants enrich our community, socially and economically. It is not migrants and refugees who are corroding our social fabric, but those who seek to whip up fear and create division and hatred. Stand up for fairness and humanity. 

To find out more about the Society’s advocacy position on refugees and people seeking asylum, visit vinnies.link/advocacy-rpsa.