Candlelight vigil to support asylum seekers

A CANDLELIGHT vigil being held in Ballarat on Wednesday aims to support thousands of asylum seekers trapped in legal limbo, organisers say.

Queen Victoria Square, opposite the town hall in Sturt Street, will set the scene for the event that starts at 7pm on Wednesday evening 8 October.

The Ballarat Diocesan Social Justice Commission is supporting the event as part of a national campaign called #EndTheWaiting, organised by the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce, with Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees members to emcee the vigil.

“Vigils are occurring around the country,” Ballarat Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) convenor Margaret O’Donnell said.

She said the vigil will be a “peaceful reflection showing support for the around-8000 refugees and people seeking asylum who’ve been living in our community for more than 12 years and have been rejected under the flawed ‘Fast Track’ system.”

“Some have Australian-born children who are 10 or older and are now Australian citizens,” Ms O’Donnell said.

“There are also some refugees who were granted temporary protection visas up to seven or eight years ago but are still waiting for their permanent visa.

“We are encouraging people from different churches and faiths to say a prayer or a reflection. It is open to everyone, people of faith or no faith and everyone is welcome.

“The main aim is to show support and gather in solidarity for these groups of people who have been living with uncertainty in our communities for many years.

“Encourage the government to act now and grant these people permanent visas to end the uncertainty so they can get on with their lives.

“Some of these people have been separated from their wife, husband and children. Having a permanent visa allows them to apply for a family reunion visa.

“People are encouraged to bring a candle or a torch but we will have some extra candles.”