Canberra CampaignEventHuman Rights

Palm Sunday Rally – Refugees and Migrants Welcome Here

Sunday 29 March 2026 — Civic Square, London Circuit, Canberra

On Palm Sunday, March 29, over 1,000 people from across the Canberra community and beyond came together in support of refugees and migrants, and to make a stand against racism. Community groups and organisations that marched into the rally in contingents included churches, unions, peace and environmental activists and students. It was great to see so many people willing to step up and have their voices heard.

Aerial view of the Palm Sunday 2026 rally at Civic Square, Canberra, with hundreds of people gathered holding flags and banners including a Refugee Action Committee banner

Last Sunday’s Refugees and Migrants are Welcome Here rally was an important step in the campaign against racism. However, with One Nation intent on whipping up Islamophobia, the Coalition busy blaming migrants for lack of housing, cost of living and more, and the Albanese government focused on blocking and stripping visas and deporting people to Nauru, the demonisation of refugees and migrants seems set to continue all the way to the next federal election.

Marchers at the Palm Sunday 2026 rally carrying a large 'Say YES to Refugees' banner along a Canberra street, with the University of Canberra Refugee Action Club banner visible behind them

It is critical that we continue to build and strengthen the campaign so our message of welcome and anti-racism is echoed and amplified.

Speakers at the rally included: Senator David Pocock, Reverend Belinda Groves and Amnesty International’s Zaki Haidari.

The evidence shows that refugees and migrants enrich our community, socially and economically. It is not migrants and refugees who are corroding our social fabric, but those who seek to whip up fear and create division and hatred. Stand up for fairness and humanity.