Junkadelic funks up World Refugee Day rally in Perth

Over 160 people took part in the annual World Refugee Day rally organised by the Refugee Rights Action Network. Speakers included Kali Pahmanathan from the Tamil community who thanked the protesters for helping him survive his time in detention. He pointed out that there is "strong evidence" for Sri Lankan government genocide against the Tamil people and that the Australian government never labels Sri Lankan genocide by its true name.

Hazara refugee Hasad Khurrami also spoke about genocide against Hazara people and the support of the refugee rights movement. He told a moving poem dedicated to refugees who lost their lives at sea.

Other speakers included Amer Saabi from the Palestinian community, Greens senator Scott Ludlam and Rob Callan from Refugee Rights Action Network.

Music by Junkadelic was a particularly positive feature of the march.