By TANIA PHILLIPS
A LARGE crowd braved heavy rain to take part in the Light in the Park asylum seeker vigil at Leslie Park Youth Space in Warwick on Thursday night.
Organiser Sue Hamlet said an estimated 80 people attended to show compassion for asylum seekers and call on the government to end unfair treatment in detention centres, and to defend the human right to seek asylum.
“The evening included a talk by Dr Mark Copland from the Toowoomba Social Justice Commission, a reflection on freedom and human rights by Janine Hills, and songs led by Sue York,” she said
“Emily Hamlet sang an original song called Our Nation’s Lament, sung to the tune of Kate Miller-Heidke’s (anti-bullying anthem) ’Caught in the Crowd’
“Our emcee was Neil Meiklejohn.
“Supporters signed a banner which has travelled to Parliament House Canberra this past weekend.”
“Many have expressed interest in doing more for this campaign and some are interested in gathering a group together to do further social justice activities and awareness raising in Warwick.”
“Attendees also came from Stanthorpe and Toowoomba, and we received lots of ’signed sails’ to add to our banner from those who could not attend the event but wanted to add their voice to the cause.
“Over 120 messages calling for hope, compassion and justice have so far been recorded on the banner.”
