Four days before Christmas, the Federal Court dismissed Priya's plea for safety.
A court order stopping Border Force from forcing Priya, Nades and their Australian-born daughters to danger runs out on 1st February. We only have a few short weeks to act.
That pre-Christmas phone call to Priya was one of the hardest I've had to make.Through tears of distress, Priya told me her greatest fears are for the safety of her two daughters, Kopika and Tharunicaa.
I told Priya that over 150,000 of you have signed this petition. I told her I would come up with a plan to turn your signatures into an avalanche of action that the politicians cannot ignore.
I need your help to put this three-step plan into action right now:
Step 1: Please show Priya and Nades you will stand with them on Saturday 19th January by clicking through to tell them you'll be joining one of these peaceful, family-friendly events:
Gladstone: https://www.facebook.com/events/1866712956760839/
Brisbane: https://www.facebook.com/events/293622374623775/
Sydney: https://www.facebook.com/events/218774595693763/
Melbourne: https://www.facebook.com/events/2351636344911734/
Step 2: Between now and Friday 11th of January, please send an email requesting intervention to the Minister for Immigration, Mr David Coleman at immigration.minister@homeaffairs.gov.au and another to your local Federal Member of Parliament. You can use your postcode to find your Federal MP's e-mail address (or online contact form) and phone number here: http://bit.ly/yourlocalMP
Your own, polite words will have the strongest impact. But if you need some ideas on what to write and say, you can find some examples here: Letter to Minister for Immigration, Letter to Local MP
Step 3: Between Monday 14th and Friday 18th January, I need you to follow up your e-mails to Mr Coleman (ph: 02 6277 7770) and your local MP with a polite phone call to each. I can't emphasise the importance of your follow up phone calls enough. An e-mail by itself is easily ignored. But an e-mail followed by a phone call sends a powerful message.
I know this is a lot to ask at a time when most of us are enjoying our summer holidays or returning to work, but I also know that this beautiful family's safety depends on all of us joining together to send a message that cannot be ignored.
Wishing you all a safe New Year,
Angela
PS. Thank you all so much for your support, with your help we have crowdfunded over $20,000 to take Priya's case to the High Court. A High Court action could see this family detained for many more damaging months - with no guarantee of success - Mr Coleman has the power to right this wrong with the stroke of a pen. That is why I'm asking you to speak up for Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa now, while there is still time.