By Rhys Prka
The Walk Together event organised by Welcome to Australia took place in more than 20 global locations on Saturday, even including a town in Alaska.
Walk Together banner at the front of the walk outside Forest Place.
Thousands joined the rally across the nation in a demonstration about accepting refugees and opposing racism.
The protestors walked from St George’s Cathedral to Forrest Place where the Expressitaval 2016 festival was being held, a part of the Anti-Poverty week event.
The show of unity and diversity was highlighted by signs reading ‘Kids in detention is child abuse’ and ‘You are welcome here’.
Akec Makur Chuot, who was recently drafted into the Fremantle Dockers Women’s team, gave a speech detailing her time as a refugee from South Sudan growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya.
“[We] need people who are willing to stand up for what is right,” she said.
The event started with speeches from Aboriginal elders, Senators Sue Lines and Rachel Siewert and performances from local artists Ziggy and Marksman Lloyd.
Artist Marksman Lloyd performing for the crowd
“Silence is not okay,” Senator Sue Lines said, emphasising our treatment of not only refugees and asylum seekers, but of Aborigines as well.
“Keep reminding our country of humanity,” said Richard Pengelly, the Dean of St George’s Cathedral.
For protestors like David Bruce, 25, the event gave him a means to demonstrate his opposition to those who oppose refugees.
“This event is a great way for us to get together in support of refugees.
“I believe we can do more to support the refugees fleeing from these war torn countries, we are wealthy enough,” Mr Bruce said.
The event came days after the release of an Amnesty International report that held the government responsible for the abuse and harm suffered by asylum seekers on Nauru.
Here are some highlights from the event.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRxIvw_Qu3Q]