A group of Launceston locals have taken to the streets to welcome asylum seekers to Launceston.
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More than 50 people walked from Princes Square to City Park on Saturday in a bid to get more people to show compassion.
Walk organiser Jeff McKinnon said the event was part of national Walk Together Events.
“At 11am people right across Australia do walks in every major city. It’s a community walk together to celebrate, it’s not a protest,” Mr McKinnon said.
“We’re really walking to say that we welcome refugees in Launceston.”
The group walked through the Brisbane Street Mall where people sung to them and then took part in a bunch of activities in the park.
Mr McKinnon said there had been “a couple of hundred” people who took part in previous walks.
“It’s a group of people who believe that we shouldn’t be locking up people who are seeking asylum,” he said.
“We’re advocating that the government be more compassionate and generous towards asylum seekers.”
Mr McKinnon said the aim was to ensure people who come to Launceston have a good time.
“We hope that as a city we are welcoming. We have noticed a change,” he said.
“The response of other people is great. Now we really get positive responses as we walk. In the past there were sometimes negative comments, but we virtually don’t get that ever now.”