On Sunday 13th of April 2025, Palm Sunday, we invite you to join in calling together for a just future for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Palm Sunday marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, and the celebration of God's kingdom drawing near – a kingdom in which those who are poor, persecuted, and mourning find hope.
As we live through the biggest global displacement crisis in history, and conflict continues to ravage countries around the world, we ask ‘What would it look like for Australia to respond in love and compassion?’
We long for the day when those who come to our shores for safety are welcomed with the kindness and compassion that Jesus teaches.
In 2024, the global displacement crisis reached unprecedented levels, with over 120 million people forcibly displaced by war, violence, and persecution — the highest number in history. New and ongoing conflicts, including those in Gaza, Syria, Haiti, Myanmar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and Sudan, have driven forced displacement across the globe. The global number of refugees has tripled in the last decade to nearly 44 million; that is nearly 44 million people fleeing for their lives - risking everything - in search of safety.
We invite you to join with thousands of others, both believers and non-believers, who are standing together once again this Palm Sunday to call for justice and dignity to be shown towards refugees and people seeking asylum here in Australia and around the world.
Explore ways to join in prayer and action this Palm Sunday.
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Palm Sunday events happening around the country, Sunday 13th April 2025.
ACT
Canberra - Palm Sunday Rally: Say Yes to Refugees
Sunday 13th April, 12:30pm - 2:30pm, Civic Square, Canberra
Organised by Canberra Refugee Action Campaign.
Further information can be found here and on the ARAN website here.
QUEENSLAND
Brisbane - Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees and Peace
Sunday 13th April, 3pm, King George Square, Brisbane
Organised by Refugee Action Collective Queensland.
Further information: Facebook event
Townsville - Palm Sunday Walk for Peace and Justice for Refugees
Sunday 13th April, The Strand, Townsville QLD
Organised by Amnesty International Townsville.
Further information: Facebook Event.
VICTORIA
Melbourne - Palm Sunday Walk for Justice and Kindness
Princess Bridge/Southbank, Melbourne - Sunday 13 April, 1-4pm
Organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network and Speaking up for Refugees
Further information: Facebook Event
NEW SOUTH WALES
Sydney - Palm Sunday Rally: Educate for Peace, Permanent visas for all Refugees
Sunday 13th April, Belmore Park, Sydney, 2-4pm
Further information: Facebook Event
Wollongong - Rally for Refugees - Palm Sunday 2025
Sunday 13th April, Wollongong Town Hall, 2pm.
Organised by Refugee Action Collective Illawarra.
Further information: Facebook Event
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth - Prayers for Peace
Sunday 13th April, on the front lawns of St George's Cathedral, Perth, 2:30-3:30pm.
Organised by Anglican Social Responsibilities.
Further Information: Facebook Event
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You can find further information on events and how to participate with your faith community on the Australian Refugee Action Network webpage.
If you are organising a Palm Sunday gathering that is not listed above, please get in touch with us at [email protected]
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Listen
We invite you to listen (or relisten) to the first episode in our 2025 Lent Podcast Series, ‘Everything is Political’, as Byron Smith, ecological ethicist and long-time member of Common Grace’s Creation and Climate Justice advisory team, Common Grace National Director Gershon Nimbalker and minister, consultant, and writer Scott Higgins explored Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem in John 12: 12-19.
Listen to Episode One here.
Episode Four, 'Loving your Neighbour is Political' is also a great conversation between ecological ethicist Byron Smith, Common Grace’s Justice for People Seeking Asylum Coordinator James Harris and National Director Gershon Nimbalker, reflecting on John 13 and what it truly means to love our neighbours.
Listen to Episode Four here.
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Take Action
In the lead up to the 2025 Federal election we will be joining together in prayer and action to help move our nation towards the safe, free, and flourishing future that God intends. Together we will speak out for justice for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, for the protection and flourishing of God's beautiful creation and for a generous and compassionate response to our asylum-seeker friends looking for welcome on our shores.
Join us in taking action here.
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Join in Prayer
We invite you to join in prayer for justice for people seeking asylum. Explore our prayer resources for justice for people seeking asylum here: https://www.commongrace.org.au/asylum_pray