THE corner of a busy Geelong highway erupted into life earlier this week when a large crowd demonstrated on behalf of asylum seekers.<\/p>\n
The rally, held outside St George\u2019s Anglican Church, coincided with a number of other rallies around Australia \u2013 one was also held in Queenscliff \u2013 following a High Court decision to deport more than 267 asylum seekers who have been in Australia on a temporary basis, back to Nauru.<\/p>\n
Protester John Bartlett said Surf Coast groups from Torquay, Winchelsea and Aireys Inlet, along with mayor Rose Hodge, and a number of church and Geelong groups, made it clear with dozens of banners that current policies, particularly those targeting children, were beyond the pale.<\/p>\n
\u201cLaura Connor, representing both Grandmothers for Refugees and Surf Coast Rural Australians for Refugees, summed up the feelings of the crowd when she said, \u2018there comes a time when politicians have become so cruel, that we must come out and protest\u2019,\u201d Mr Bartlett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the grave nature of the demonstration, the crowd erupted into cheers, not unlike what might be heard on a Saturday afternoon from Kardinia Park, every time a passing car or truck beeped their approval.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Bartlett said organisers were also hoping for a large turn out at this year\u2019s Walk for Justice for Refugees event to be held in Melbourne on Palm Sunday (March 20) .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE corner of a busy Geelong highway erupted into life earlier this week when a large crowd demonstrated on behalf of asylum seekers. The rally, held outside St George\u2019s Anglican Church, coincided with a number of other rallies around Australia \u2013 one was also held in Queenscliff \u2013 following a High Court decision to deport […]<\/p>\n