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Unionists and refugee activists gathered at the State Library to show solidarity with refugees who continue to be denied safety and security. Andrea Bortoli reports.

The 22 were among 30 people who were booked by police on April 10 while showing solidarity with more than 60 refugees who were being detained inside the Mantra Hotel in Preston. They were each fined $1652 for allegedly violating a COVID-19 lockdown order. The refugees had been brought to Australia from Manus Island and Nauru for medical treatment under the now abandoned Medavac law. Most did not receive adequate treatment and all were placed in crowded conditions where guards regularly violated social distancing rules. The car cavalcade aimed to raise the morale of the refugees and draw atten...

Melbourne Magistrate's Court on January 27. Photo: Zane Alcorn About 60 people gathered outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court on January 27 to support Refugee Action Collective member Chris Breen, who is on trial for “inciting” people to participate in a car cavalcade to support detained refugees. The cavalcade on April 10 went past the Mantra Hotel where 65 refugees were detained. Thirty participants were fined $1652 each, a total of nearly $50,000. Most are planning to challenge the fines. See also Breen was arrested before the cavalcade began and held for nine hours. The incitement c...