Folk club to join refugee walk

The Troubadour Central Coast folk club is encouraging residents of the Central Coast to join its members in a walk in Newcastle for the rights of refugees.

The walk, which is part of Walk Together for Refugee Week, will begin at the Newcastle Museum at 1pm on Saturday, June 22, and will conclude at 4pm at Civic Park where there will be a multicultural festival featuring music, dance, art, crafts and food.

Those travelling to the walk are invited to meet in carriage three of the 10:26am train from Woy Woy and are encouraged to bring an instrument to participate in songs for social justice.

The event is being organised by Amnesty International in partnership with Welcome to Australia, and it aims to have thousands of Australians, including musicians, celebrities, community leaders and politicians, walking on Saturday, June 22.

Amnesty International Australia refugee campaign coordinator Mr Graeme McGregor said: "We've all encountered myths and prejudice about asylum seekers and refugees.

"Every day the media and politicians use these myths to justify policies that lock up, abuse and endanger innocent men, women and children.

"But we know that refugees come to Australia to escape torture, violence and persecution.

"We know they're just trying to make a new life for themselves and their families.

"They're people like us and they're members of our community."

Last year, Walk Together saw thousands of people across the country stepping out, getting to know the people in their community and standing up for the rights of refugees.

This year, Walk Together events will take place in 15 cities and towns all over Australia, with music, food, speeches and other exciting activities for the whole family.

"It's not only a great day out, it's a chance to send a message that Australians want asylum seekers to be treated fairly and with compassion," Mr McGregor said.

Email, 11 Jun 2013

Michael Fine, Troubadour