UPDATE: Christian leaders meet with Mr Nikolic but are still waiting for release of 869 vulnerable children from detention Advocates for children suffering in detention may be arrested if they intend to wait upon Mr Nikolic for a timetabled commitment from the Government for all children and families to be released A group of 8 Launceston Christian leaders have been warned they may be arrested as they continue their prayer sit-in that began at 10am this morning at MP Andrew Nikolic’s Launceston electoral office. Mr Nikolic agreed to meet with representatives of the group this morning and discuss their request for a timetabled commitment from the Federal Government to release ALL children and families from immigration detention centres. Mr Nikolic said that the Government would not be changing its policies. However, Mr Nikolic has agreed to contact MP Scott Morrison on the matter and the group is expecting a response soon. The group’s spokesperson from Love Makes A Way, Pastor Jeff McKinnon said “we have engaged and corresponded numerous times with Mr Nikolic before today and today’s response is another indication why we need action now on this issue as talk is failing us”. Mr McKinnon said “the group are committed to remaining in Mr Nikolic’s office as they continue their request for the release of ALL children from detention despite being warned they may be arrested if they do not leave”. The group are continuing to pray in Mr Nikolic’s office and are doing so in a careful manner that does not block the office or interrupt business during the day. The action follows a series of prayer-centred sit-in actions in MP’s offices that has sparked a nationwide Christian movement called Love Makes A Way which has seen over 75 Christian leaders arrested. Love Makes a Way is a national movement of Christians seeking an end to Australias inhumane asylum seeker policies through prayer and nonviolent love in action.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 04:32:54 +0000