Amid tragedy, refugee protest encampment continues
For 50 days, Tamil and Iranian refugees have maintained a protest camp outside the Department of Home Affairs in Melbourne’s Docklands. Their demands are permanent protection and justice for all refugees—more than 10,000—left in limbo by the federal Labor government.
The encampment has stood firm despite hostility and racism. Early in August, two refugees were attacked and hospitalised by passers-by. The same week, 25 neo-Nazis tried to crash the encampment, carrying a banner that read: “Fuck off we’re full”. They were chased away by hundreds of refugees and their supporters.
Abbas, a 26-year-old Iranian refugee whose idea it was to start the camp, told Red Flag that organisation and support from the community have been vital. “We have a WhatsApp group with 150 people. Every day, we ask for volunteers to sleep overnight and cook meals”, he explained. The group chat is also used to delegate tasks like cleaning, and a community roster has been established for supporters who want to help protect the encampment at night.
Rallies and marches now play a more central role in the life of the camp. There are one or two each week. The last three Friday evenings, more than 300 people have marched in defence of the camp and in solidarity with the refugees.
Two refugee activist groups—12,000 Captive Souls and the Tamil Refugee Council—joined with several other organisations to organise the rallies. These include groups that have spent years campaigning for refugee justice, such as the Campaign Against Racism and Fascism, which led the fight to free detained refugees from the Park Hotel in Carlton in 2021, and newer groups like Unionists for Palestine.
Abbas says everyone is welcome in the fight for refugee rights: “People at the camp are really happy when people show up in support and solidarity. Everyone is welcome, and the more the merrier because it means that people will pay attention to us”.
The latest march was full of Palestinian flags and keffiyehs; drummers and young Tamils with megaphones led the way to the Labor Party’s Victorian office, also in Docklands.
While the refugees and their supporters have done well to keep their spirits high during the encampment, there was no escaping grief this week. Mano Yogalingam, a 23-year-old Tamil refugee, killed himself in Dandenong on 28 August.
Mano was an activist who spent many of his last 45 days at the protest encampment. He was honoured in speeches, and a message was made clear: the fight for permanent visas and against the Australian government must continue until all refugees are free.
Madushiska, a 15-year-old Tamil refugee, said in a speech:
“We are here, refusing to give up, refusing to be silent. This fight doesn’t stop once speeches are over. Our encampment is keeping the flames of resistance alive, day and night. If you are tired of just talking about change, join us. We need every voice, every hand, every heart. Together, we can show them we won't back down until every refugee is free.”
You can support the refugees by attending the encampment at 808 Bourke St, Docklands.
