PHOTOS: Melbourne Legends Scale The Art Centre To Share #LETTHEMSTAY
Two protesters have scaled Melbourne’s Art Centre in the early hours of this morning to unfurl a banner with the #LetThemStay message.
The daredevils, Hannah Patchett (video right) and Katherine Woskett (left) are the same duo who stopped Melbourne traffic with a similar banner over the Eastern Freeway a little of a week ago. Following their newsworthy efforts, they posted the following message to Facebook with more detail behind their motivations:
These two amazing activists share their experience on the bridge today and encourage others to take action to end indefinite detention. They stand in solidarity with asylum seekers who await imminent deportation to offshore prisons.#LetThemStay#CloseTheCamps
Posted by Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance on Wednesday, 10 February 2016
The protest is targeted at the Federal Governments abusive treatment and processing of asylum seekers at offshore detention facilities, and across the country people are praising these brave women for their action. The #LetThemStay and #CloseTheCamps movements have been gaining huge momentum the past few days, with many members of the Aussie arts community releasing their own political statements.
A spokesperson for Hannah and Katherine told Melbourne’s 3AW that the women were professional climbers and “completely safe”. Talking on the program, Helen War said:
“They’ve definitely taken the message to new heights,” she told 3AW this morning. “The real issue of safety (isn’t for the protesters, it) is the conditions people are going to face when they’re deported back to Nauru.”
Rightly so, people all around the Melbourne are going apeshit bonkers, taking photos and videos of the pair and sharing the message across social media with support.
PHOTOS: People Share The #LetThemStay Protest On Twitter
Banner now unfurled. pic.twitter.com/GKeuZ2inPY
— Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) February 18, 2016
Two women have had the brainwave of trying to climb the spire this morning. Um, why?! pic.twitter.com/i3wZ09cfi3
— Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) February 18, 2016
The sign says #LetThemStay and it's hanging from the Arts Centre spire. Good onya, Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/WWTusnnAzU
— Mamamia (@Mamamia) February 18, 2016
Protesters are going to new heights to make sure children don't get deported to island prisons. #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/7hjdrzXCue
— Luke Hilakari (@lhilakari) February 18, 2016
Two women have climbed the arts centre spire in protest over Nauru. We are watching them from work and I am genuinely impressed #LetThemStay
— Alex Reynolds (@Alex_Rey) February 18, 2016
The women have recently released a statement about their efforts:
#Letthemstay campaign news release says the 2 women up Arts Centre spire are part of protest @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/cS8PNOuHOM
— Simon Love (@SimoLove) February 18, 2016
Just got this shot of the two dare devils. They're so close to the top!! @artscentremelb @mmmhotbreakfast pic.twitter.com/QVMWNaChJY
— Cerise Ellen (@ccceriseee) February 18, 2016
Arts Centre spire #Melbourne. More here: https://t.co/rsSHEh9Ngt pic.twitter.com/69KqcGw4dm
— ABC Radio Melbourne (@abcmelbourne) February 18, 2016
I really love the whole #LetThemStay community, but 'women with banners abseiling up and off things' have a special place in my heart.
— Brynn O'Brien (@brynnobrien) February 18, 2016
Two women have climbed almost 3/4 of the way up The Arts Centre spire. Police on scene @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/TtDJLI1WtC
— Simon Love (@SimoLove) February 18, 2016
MT @akaWACA #LetThemStay banner – Ms Woskett: FedGovt's asylum seeker policy = human rights abuse. #CloseTheCamps pic.twitter.com/tNNpe3NmCA
— Geronimo Salinas (@GeronimoSalina1) February 18, 2016
Spire protest from above. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/XB0tM10GM2
— Andrew Nelson (@Andrew_Nelson9) February 18, 2016
Two #LetThemStay protesters have climbed part of the way up the 162-metre Melbourne Arts Centre spire. @KristyMayr7 https://t.co/3PmnGKOWuL
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) February 18, 2016
If I wasn't already at work I would be at the Arts Centre showing my support #letthemstay
— Michael G. ????⚪???? (@mickeyg4) February 18, 2016
Protestors on the Arts Centre spire w #letthemstay banner. They're up scarily high pic.twitter.com/b2Ewhsx8iX
— Megan Miller (@heraldsunscoop) February 18, 2016
Two #LetThemStay protesters have climbed part of the way up the 162-metre Melbourne Arts Centre spire. @KristyMayr7 https://t.co/3PmnGKOWuL
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) February 18, 2016
It's all happening at work this morning. #LetThemStay pic.twitter.com/QpItmcB9Lv
— Alex Reynolds (@Alex_Rey) February 18, 2016