QLD-born Kopika turned three in a Melbourne detention centre. She’s about to spend her 4th birthday there too, but Mr Dutton is telling Australians that there are “zero kids in detention”. Please, can you chip in to our new crowdfunder and help me share the truth?
My name is Simone. On 12 May last year, I invited Melbournians to join me in celebrating Kopika’s 3rd birthday. Kopika is the Biloela-born daughter of my friends, Priya and Nades.
Two months earlier, Mr Dutton’s Border Force snatched Priya, Nades, Kopika and baby Tharunicaa from their Biloela home and locked them away in Melbourne detention centre.
Our party was one of three. Priya’s dear friend Vashini gathered Brisbane friends together for a picnic. Family friend Angela invited Kopika’s Biloela friends to play games in the local Lion’s Park.
We begged Mr Dutton to bring this beautiful family “home to Bilo” in time for Kopika to spend her birthday with her Biloela friends.
Mr Dutton left Kopika to spend her 3rd birthday in detention and has no plans to release her for her 4th. Now, he’s trying to win votes by telling Australians that there are “zero children in detention”.
I urgently need your help to share the truth. Please, can you chip in to help me share Kopika’s story with up to 315,000 voters with the power to make a difference?
We’ve held community meetings and peaceful marches. We’ve put a giant billboard in Mr Dutton’s electorate. We’ve placed a powerful ad in Queensland’s daily newspaper. We’ve commenced a high court challenge. 184,000 Australians have signed our petition.
Right now, political parties are spending untold millions on TV ads, billboards and Facebook advertising. We need to make the politicians listen now, before we vote.
Will you help me put Kopika’s story straight into the Facebook feeds of up to 315,000 voters in key electorates in Queensland and Victoria?
I’ll show them how quickly and easily they can send a powerful message to local MPs who are counting on their votes.
I know not everyone uses Facebook. But if we can hit our crowdfunding goal in the next few days, I can also put powerful, full-page ads in central Queensland’s local newspapers.
It’s heartbreaking to know that this family’s 433rd day in detention will not only be Kopika’s 4th birthday, but Mother’s Day.
With hope,
Simone
PS A big thank you to everyone who chipped in to Priya’s emergency legal fund. Angela is travelling away from e-mail right now and has asked me to keep you updated. Appealing to the High Court is a long, slow and complex process with no guarantee of success, but Angela and I will be sure to let you know as soon as we have any news.