More than 4000 young people and adults packed into Birrarung Marr park on October 21 for a Childrenās March for Nauru, to demandĀ all refugees imprisoned on the Pacific island be resettled in Australia.
Chanting ānurture not tortureā and ākids out, all outā, participants marched into the city.
The action was organised by the Artistsā Committee and Melbourne Youth with Refugees.Ā
Artistsā Committeeās Kylie Wilkinson told Ā鶹“«Ć½ Weekly: āItĀ was so heartening to see so many people come out in support of people trapped in Australia's offshore prisons.
āPeople genuinely wanted to give young people a chance to speak about this traumatic policyā. Ā
Wilkinson however criticised the intimidating police presence at the rally, which included mounted and riot cops. PoliceĀ prevented the march from occupying Flinders Street and St Kilda Road.
Wilkinson said: āIt was extremely frustrating as the police had promised the children they could move onto the intersection if the crowd grew to 1000.
āThe police's demands changed, which was bizarre and confusing for everyoneā.