As some of you may have read in the Mercury today (http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/02/07/298851_tasmania-news.html  TT: HERE),  Mayor Tony Foster believes that we only have one week in which to generate enough community support to keep Pontville open.  While indefinite mandatory detention is always, ultimately, a toxic environment for mental health, we believe that Pontville has a number of factors which recommend it in comparison to more isolated and crowded mainland detention centers, and for that reason we have decided to publish this new web page:

http://www.tasasylum.org/keep-pontville-open.html

On this page, you can read my submission to Minister Bowen, delivered in person by Mayor Foster last week, and take action to write your own email / phone call to Minister Bowen himself.

Asylum seeker art exhibition: donations welcome
Darwin-based advocate Vikki Riley has curated this beautiful and moving exhibition:  http://footprintsofmyheart.wordpress.com/
which will be exhibited in Hobart (with contributions from Pontville artists too) from February 20th! This exhibition provides a voice for the voiceless and gives a window onto the talents and dreams of those in detention.
Vikki is seeking donations to cover costs of the art’s freight.  Please email me if you would like to contribute and I will give you Vikki’s details.

Training
We had a wonderful training last Saturday, with nearly 40 current and new volunteers attending.  Everyone found it very inspiring and worthwhile, and we are now delighted to say that all the 20 men on our waiting list have been given a buddy!
We will be holding the training again on Sunday March 4th (if Pontville closes it will be cancelled) as there are always new men requesting a visitor. No RSVPs necessary but you might like to use the facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/207080392718468/?ref=ts

Thank you for your ongoing support, and please take action to show our community’s support for the continuing operation of Pontville Detention Centre.

Emily Conolan
Founder, Tasmanian Asylum Seeker Support (TASS)
http://www.tasasylum.org
http://www.facebook.com/tasasylum