By ANEEKA SIMONIS
MORE than 200 outraged grandmothers dressed head-to-toe in purple banded together in the Australian Parliament last week, rattling the walls with a powerful chant condemning detention of refugee children in Nauru and Manus Island.
Among the group involved in the ‘Freedom Ride to Canberra’ were Grandmothers against Detention of Refugee Children Co-Conveners of the La Trobe sub-group, Virgina Schneiders and Judy Taylor.
The angry grans made a strong call to arms for others in the region to put their support behind the rapidly growing anti-detention movement ahead of the nearing federal election.
Judy Taylor, grandmother of four, described the detention of refugee and asylum seeker children and families as inhumane, calling for the immediate closure of the Nauru and Manus Island detention centres.
“There is no excuse for mandatorily detaining anyone for the prolonged periods of time that some of these people have been detained. No wonder they are going mad,” she said, referring to traumatic images sketched by children in detention.
“In addition to seeking the release of children from mandatory detention, the grandmothers urge that those seeking asylum or refuge be assessed, processed, in a timely manner.
“In other words, get on with it, do the job and let these people get on with their lives, either as refugees here in Australia or elsewhere.”
Judy was pained talking of the terrible conditions endured by refugee children in Nauru, particularly the documented mental impacts triggered by prolonged detention. The pair have vowed to talk loud and often about the government’s treatment of detained refugees – a commitment carried out in a powerful, united fashion in the halls of parliament on Thursday 17 March.
Gathering in the foyer following question time, the grans sung out their protest.
“Don’t be too polite Grans, don’t be too polite,” a verse read.
“Show a little fight Grans, show a little fight.
“Don’t be fearful of offending, in case you cop some flack.
Just recognise our power and we won’t look back.”
The La Trobe grandmas’ aim is to build support for the campaign in the lead-up to the federal election.
Virginia urged those opposed to the mandatory detention of refugee children to make their concerns known to their federal member.
“We face a huge battle because both of the major parties support this,” Virginia said, hopeful continued pressure on Labor and the Liberals would result in eventual change.
“Raise the issue with your local member. We need them to see there is a growing opposition in the community to policies that institutionalise child abuse.”
The La Trobe Grandmothers Against Detention of Children are now an official sub-committee group at Emerald Community House.
The campaigners hope to soon hold a meeting with supporters and urge anyone who wishes to join to contact Judy Taylor on 0438 583 918 or Virginia Schneiders on 0417 137 736 or email grandmotherslatrobe@gmail.com.
