You are invited to attend the Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees being organised by the Canberra Refugee Action Group (RAC) to be held at 1:00 pm at Civic Square.

 RAC is an independent organisation whose sole aim is to seek just and humane treatment of refugees and asylum seekers who ask for Australia’s help. RAC is not affiliated with or sponsored by any political party, and does not advocate voting for any political party. 

 There are still thousands of asylum seekers in Australia, some of whom have been here for over a decade, who live in constant fear of being deported. Some receive no government assistance, and even if they are allowed to work their temporary residential status makes it very hard to find employment. They are totally dependent on charities for their survival.

 The theme for this year’s Palm Sunday rally has been expanded to include migrants. This is because public comments about migration often fail to distinguish between refugees and migrants, blaming them for the housing crisis, the cost of living and all manner of social ills. Sadly, there is often a racist undertone to these comments.

The Rev. Belinda Groves from Canberra Baptist Church will be one of the speakers at this year’s rally.