NSW: Protesters gather near Villawood detention centre

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2006
NSW: Protesters gather near Villawood detention centre

About 80 refugee activists have gathered near Sydney's Villawood detention centre ..

to continue a weekend of protests against the government's new hardline immigration policies.

And a large police contingent .. including mounted police .. dog squad officers and
the operational support group .. is on hand to monitor the protest.

About 80 activists gathered at Sydney's Holsworthy army barracks yesterday .. demanding
access to 160 immigration detainees .. who'd been evacuated from Villawood amid asbestos
fears.

Their action kicked off a weekend of national pro-refugee protests .. with similar
protests in Melbourne and possibly Adelaide likely over the Easter weekend.

A protest outside Kirribilli House .. where the prime minister resides in Sydney ..

is also being organised for tomorrow morning.







The federal government announced this week that all asylum seekers who arrive in Australia
by boat will be sent offshore to have their claims assessed .. and await acceptasnce by
a third country.

AAP RTV pc/rt

KEYWORD: VILLAWOOD (SYDNEY)

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.