On April 9, around 300 people marched on Broadmeadows detention centre to demand an end to mandatory detention of asylum seekers. The rally coincided with the 20-year anniversary of the introduction of mandatory detention.
Former detainee Ali Bakhtiavandi told the rally: 鈥淧eople are detained almost for a lifetime in an attempt to stop them coming to Australia. ASIO says they are a security risk. The only risk to Australians is from Gillard and Abbott.鈥
A detainee inside the detention centre addressed the crowd: 鈥淭hank you for coming to support us. The Australian government has no humanity in body or soul.鈥 Sue Bolton from Refugee Action Collective said: 鈥淧olice and government keep people away from asylum seekers because they know that contact leads people to see them as human beings.鈥