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Sing Up

For the last two weeks we have gathered to sing outside the Maribyrnong Detention Centre. It was an interesting experience. I was delighted that so many people indicated their support by tooting as they drove past. There were a couple of uninformed opinions expressed loudly through a couple of car windows, but I reckon if we wave back at these people, other observers may well assume their words are of the encouraging sort. I for one refuse to be intimidated!

Here are some highlights of the last two sing-ups:

A group of visitors to the detention centre who waved warmly to us as they arrived, and then afterwards drove off down the road in their van, waving to us as they went.

An employee ventured out and took several booklets of the song sheets back inside, to inform the detainees about our singing.

Photographers from The Age and The Melbourne Times took photos. The Melbourne Times have done a write up apparently, though I haven’t seen it.

A poem penned by one of our number, Meg:
Choir scales barbed walls
Guards of refugees keep time
We shall overcome.

Each week there are people making their maiden performances in the group. Wonderful!

Future Protests
We agreed that it is important to rotate protests, in order to be true to our aim of reminding the Australian community of the plight of asylum seekers. At the sing-up last week we agreed to alternate between singing at the detention centre, and in another location. Please watch for venue changes.
http://cecm.victas.uca.org.au/index.cgi?tid=265

Lucy Graham
Contemporary Music Network Co-ordinator