Fremantle welcome mat rolled out for refugees

The free family-friendly event will start with a drumming circle at 11am, followed by a Welcome to Country, speeches from several refugees and advocates and a walk through Fremantle at 12.30pm.

The event will be held by the Fremantle Refugee Rights Action Network and include entertainment and stalls with information from supporting organisations, food vendors and fair trade goods.

City of Fremantle acting Mayor Josh Wilson said the City was proud to be a welcome zone for refugees.

“Freo is a place of arrival and this community is defined by its diversity of cultures and by its attitude of inclusion and open-armed interest in the wider world,” he said.

“At a time when the conversation about refugees is too often misguided and even narrow-minded, the Fremantle Council and community is happy to say that people seeking asylum can find peace and friendship here.”

The event will run from 11am to 3pm on June 14 at the Esplanade Reserve.