Light the Dark

By now you may have have heard about the tragic turn of events on Manus Island that left one person dead and 77 injured. 

We don't yet know if this new tragic low marks a turning point, if it's part of Australia's new status quo, or if it will finally be enough to make our Government rethink our cruel treatment of asylum seekers, the very people who need our help most. The truth is, we still don't really know happened because the Government won't tell us. 

What we do know is that a young man lost his life in the most horrific way – while under our care, while detained in your name. His name was Reza Berati, a 23 year old from Iran. It was in July last year that he made the perilous journey by boat to seek refuge in Australia and instead of finding safety, he endured a nightmare. 

Reza is not the first to die because of this policy: there are many others who have already taken their own lives whilst locked in Australian detention centres. But rather than acknowledging our failure to protect them, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison sent an email lauding today as a "significant milestone" in the Government's "strong resolve on our borders". 

The only "milestone" reached this week was a new low for human rights in Australia. We live in hope that this horrible tragedy will be enough to make Australia rethink our treatment of asylum seekers. We're planning more action over the coming months – but for now, GetUp members, along with refugee advocacy groups around the country, will take a moment to remember Reza and the countless others who have died and suffered under our watch. 

The Government has kept us in the dark for too long, so on Sunday grab all your friends and let's light up the dark! 

We'll be gathering across the country, in homes, backyards, parks and churches to pay our respects to those we've failed to protect, and display the compassion that we know Australians are capable of. Together we will show that we care; that we will not allow our Government to abandon our duty of care to these fellow humans. We will gather to show hope and to give hope. 

Will you join us for a candlelit display of compassion and hope? 

When: Sunday 23 February, 8pm 
Where: Federation Square, Melbourne 
RSVP: https://www.getup.org.au/lightthedark-melbourne 

Together we can light the dark, 
the GetUp team 

PS – If you're unable to attend on Sunday evening, GetUp members around the country are stepping up at a moment's notice to organise community snap action vigils in solidarity. They can be as large or as small as you like, it's the sentiment that counts. Click here to find out how you can get involved: https://www.getup.org.au/lightthedark 

PPS – We're working alongside our incredible friends at the Refugee Action Coalition, Amnesty International, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Welcome to Australia, the First Home Project, the Canberra Refugee Action Committee, the Welcome Group and many other wonderful refugee advocates to light the dark this Sunday.