Rooftop protest has spread to Melbourne, as an Iranian refugee began a protest in the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation detention centre in Broadmeadows.
The refugee, carrying a sign saying “Azadi” (Farsi for “Freedom”) began the protest on top of a gazebo inside the detention centre around 4.45pm Sunday afternoon, 12 April.
The Iranian man was brought from Manus for medical attention, but has been held in the Melbourne detention centre for over nine months.
The protest comes as three immigration detainees continue their protest on the roof of the Blaxland compound in Villawood, Sydney.
“Detention is a coronavirus time bomb,” said Ian Rintoul, “Anxiety was already growing before the coronavirus crisis struck, but now it is sky high. Sick people are now being held hostage in a high-risk environment.
“The government should not have to be forced to do the proper thing. No one should be left at risk to the virus. It is time to make them safe and keep everyone safe. The government is putting maintaining their offshore detention policy before the lives of refugees and the community.”
The protest inside MITA comes just a day after the Victorian police arrested one activist, charged with ‘incitement to protest’, and has threatened to fine almost 30 others involved in a safe protest car convoy outside the Mantra Hotel in Preston where around 70 refugee almost all from Manus are being held.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713