ST FRANCIS College students will be protesting what they are calling a “national embarrassment” in the nation’s capital on Tuesday.
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A busload of students starting their first week of year 12 will hit the road to Canberra where they will join with Rural Australians for Refugees to protest and rally against the unjust and immoral detention of children on Nauru.
“This isn’t about politics, this is about the protection of children,” school counsellor Peter McPhee said.
“They (politicians) don't put a human face on this, but the reality is children are suffering.
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“It’s definitely an embarrassment to our country.”
Reports from Nauru show refugee children in detention have attempted self harm and suicide.
St Francis College student Patrick Draper will be part of the group going to Canberra and labelled children in detention as “unjust” and “not right”.
“These kids … they don’t have a voice,” he said.
“There’s something wrong with what is happening there.”
The students will march with Rural Australians for Refugees from Old Parliament House to Parliament House where they will be given the chance to speak with Member for Farrer Sussan Ley.
It is hoped they will also be given the opportunity to meet with Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
“I just think it’s a human rights issue,” Inayah Choudhury said.
“No one should be held like that. Especially when other countries are taking in refugees. These are children. We have to remember that.”
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