A GROUP of Tasmanian grandmothers have made their way to Canberra to protest against children being held in detention.
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Since its inception in July 2014, Tassie Nannas has occupied Hobart’s Elizabeth Street Mall on a weekly basis, knitting and raising awareness for children in detention.
The group of 60 members has statewide expansion in its sights and plans to establish a Launceston branch.
Tassie Nannas co-founder Pauline Shelley said it’s had “expressions of interest from people in Launceston”.
On Wednesday, five Tassie Nannas members protested on Canberra’s parliament lawns.
Two nannas rode up on a ‘freedom bus’ from Melbourne, and three flew up to Canberra.
Ms Shelley said grandmothers from Victoria, NSW and Tasmania met with politicians and made a ruckus to get their message heard loud and clear.
The Tassie Nannas met with Tasmanian Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, who Ms Shelley said was “very supportive”.
They also met with Greens senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Nick McKim and attended question time.
Ms Shelley said the Tassie Nannas’ banner managed to deceive security with its blanket-like appearance.
"You're not supposed to take banners into Parliament House, but since ours looks like a blanket until you hold it up we were able to get it in,” Ms Shelley said.
Nannas from around the nation were escorted from Parliament House’s Great Hall by security after the swarm of purple clad grandmas took part in a “flash mob”.
"[There were] hundreds of grandmothers dressed in purple singing protest songs against the detention of children, and then were escorted out quite politely by security guards,” Ms Shelley said.
When Tassie Nannas first began, it soon found a way to get its cause known: by regularly raising awareness in one of Hobart’s busiest spots.
“We started our weekly knitting vigil in November last year and it has taken on a life of its own since then," Ms Shelley said.
The group’s vibrant ‘Free The Children’ banner was a collaborative effort, with knitted squares contributed from around Tasmania.
"There's hundreds and hundreds of little squares that make up the words, and they've been knitted by men, women and children, members of the church, nannas, Hobart lord mayors past and present - and that's what we took to Canberra," Ms Shelley said.
The group vowed to continue campaigning until every child is out of detention in Australia and its offshore centres.
“We're in for the long haul," Ms Shelley said.
