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In yet another disturbing incident within Australian detention centres, tear gas and possibly even rubber bullets have been used by the Australian Federal Police on Christmas Island against protesting detainees. With over 6000 people being held in detention and an increasing cycle of protests, escapes, hunger strikes, self-harm and repression within centres it is clear that the ALP has delivered a detention regime every bit as soul destroying as Howard.

Refugee Action Coalition Media release March 14, 2011 There are disturbing reports from Christmas Island asylum seekers that a number, perhaps 20, of the people who escaped from the detention centre on Friday night have been handcuffed and taken to the high security management unit, Red Compound, last night (ie Sunday night).

Some reports indicate that up to 20 people may have been taken to the Red Compound. At least two Afghans, one a teacher, inside the detention centre, were handcuffed and taken away last night.

The hunger strike at Villawood has ended on Sunday March 13–below is the text below of a letter sent by the strikers to the Immigration Department to inform them.

Villawood IDC
15 Birmingham Avenue
Villawood
13 March 2011

Deputy Director – IMA
Villawood IDC
Villawood NSW

Dear Sir,

Concluding the fasting vigil

We, Thillainathan Suthakaran, Kokilakumar Subramaniyam and Suvendran Kathirkamaththamby, are writing to inform you that we are concluding our fast on 13 March 20^11, which started on 1 March 2011.

Rising Tide Media release 13th March Australia's export of coal is recognised as Australia's largest contribution to climate change, we have been joined by hundreds of people and have successfully stopping all coal ship movements.

This blockade in the world's biggest coal port sends a strong message to the community, government and coal industry that there is to much at stake for the coal industry to expand.

"Fukushima is everywhere", demo in Gorleben (click here for more pictures).

Sydney Refugee Action Collective Media release, 12 March 2011 Reports from asylum seekers on Christmas Island indicate that at least 150 asylum seekers, believed to be mostly Iranian, have broken out of Christmas Island detention centre.
All Serco guards have withdrawn from the detention compound and are believed to be searching for the escaped detainees.

The trouble began around 11.30 Christmas Island time and seems to have been concentrated on the main compounds of the detention centre. All compounds have been locked down, leaving remaining asylum seekers unattended.

8.9 km into a 12.6 km bike ride to protest for peace, sustainability and cyclists rights, Police broke up the 7th annual World Naked Bike Ride in Newcastle, NSW Australia.

The group of about 15 bike riders, some clothed and and others naked and decorated in body paint promoting their protest message rode along the Honeysuckle harbor side cycle way, down Hunter St (the main street of the city) and through on o...f the busy the restaurant and cafe precinct of Darby St. The ride was cheered and applauded by members of the public.

Rising Tide Press Release 12/3/2011:Today, hundreds of Hunter community members are peacefully blockading Newcastle Harbour, protesting the expansion of Australia's largest contribution to climate change - coal exports.

by Gerry Georgatos
At least 43 million people displaced. At least 16 million refugees. Only 800,000 Asylum Seeker applications per year. Millions have not been counted. Millions are trapped. If you are a Hazara in Quetta, Pakistan there is are no holding camps, no UNHCR, no queues. My sister-in-law is of refugee-origin, Vietnamese, having arrived as a baby on a 'boat' in 1980. Afghanis, Tamils, Iraqis, Iranians are fleeing civil strife, persecution, war. Let us not forget anyone. Let us embrace the ideal of helping out one another.