Rally For Refugees

BY JOHN MCLAURIN

REFUGEE advocate Tim McKenna says he was honoured to join about 3500 people at the annual Palm Sunday ACT Refugee Rally.

“The numbers were greater than last year despite inclement weather,” he said.

“I think people are becoming quite fed up with the lack of progress in the re-settlement of the people on Manus and Nauru.”

Mr McKenna says he was pleased with the Catholic response to the day.

“Pat Power, retired auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese, co-led the march, while a number of Vinnies banners were prominent during the rally and the subsequent march through the city,” he said.

“In the lead-up to the rally, churches, schools and organisations (including Catholic ones) put up advertising banners which we are most grateful for.

“The Catholic ones I know of included: the Cathedral and Yarralumla; the parishes of Campbell, Gowrie, Narrabundah, North Woden, South Woden, Watson and Yass: two colleges St Francis Xavier Florey and Merici; and several organisations including Catholic Care and Catholic Social Services.”