EVENT ALERT- Sunday 6th January 2013
IMPRISONED FROM BIRTH – AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES SAY NO
Ranjini, mother of two, is preparing to give birth in early 2013, knowing that her baby faces a life behind bars. ChilOut, Welcome to Australia and Letters for Ranjini are calling on pregnant women and those with young babies to gather in disused gaols and community centers in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide on Ranjini’s due date – January 6. Together we will call on the government to release her and her children from indefinite detention in Villawood.
‘Born Free’ – a combined initiative of ChilOut, Welcome to Australia and Letters for Ranjini – will highlight the stark reality of a baby being born into detention and growing up behind bars.
‘We take it for granted that our children will be born into freedom, with every opportunity to grow, develop and reach their full potential,’ says Welcome to Australia director Brad Chilcott. ’Ranjini’s baby will be born into detention, with no hope of release.
‘Is this the kind of nation we want to live in? The kind that robs children of their futures and sees babies sentenced to a lifetime behind bars?’
‘We call upon the minister to release Ranjini and her children from detention immediately,’ says Leila Druery, Campaign Director for ChilOut. ‘We fail to see how a pregnant mother of two is a security risk to Australians. Mothers across Australia are appalled by this injustice being done in our name.’
Anthony Bieniak, coordinator of Letters for Ranjini, says, ‘we have already heard heartbreaking reports of the impact that 7 months of detention has had on Ranjini’s two sons. To have a baby born into a life of detention is an avoidable national tragedy – all Australian families should be outraged at the cruelty of this policy’
All expectant-mothers and parents of young children are encouraged to join us for a photoshoot and media appearance to show your support for Ranjini and all children indefinitely held in immigration detention. The event starts at 11am on Sunday 6 january, morning tea will be provided. These free events will be held at Middle Head in Sydney and Fitzroy in Melbourne, more details and events will be announced shortly.
To register for Born Free, visit https://lettersforranjini.com/bornfree or join us on