Kiwis rally to support Indian students

Supporters gathered inside an urban church to call on the Government to allow a group of Indian students facing deportation to be allowed to stay in the country.

A decision is expected this week on whether the students can remain in the country.

The nine students and a toddler have been staying at the Ponsonby church since February 6 in symbolic sanctuary.

At the rally on Saturday, there was standing room only for supporters inside the Unitarian Church in central Auckland.

Supporters were from union and political groups as well as members of the public.

The group and 190 others were given deportation orders last year after the Government learned they arrived on fraudulent visas.

Unite Union advocate Joe Carolan says the students had been ‘‘ripped off’’ from the start in their treatment.

He appealed to Prime Minister Bill English and Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse’s religious beliefs.

‘‘You have a chance to apply mercy here, listen to what every single religious leader in New Zealand is telling you,’’ he says.

‘‘New Zealand is watching you on Monday, Tuesday and every day next week to see what your government will do...all eyes will be on this whare.’’

The students had put ‘‘tens of thousands’’ of dollars into the economy by coming to study here, before being ripped off by unregulated visa agents, Carolan says.

Other speakers noted the num- ber of supporters had grown over the week.

Migrant Workers Association organiser Anu Kaloti says it is good to see a strong turnout from members of the Indian community.

‘‘From when we last were here, the numbers have grown a lot more...from donations of food, to people coming and talking with the students...thank you,’’ she says.

Following speeches inside the church, attendees moved outside to Ponsonby Road where the rally continued.

Threats of protest and violence by apparent pro-Donald Trump supports had been made on Facebook prior to the gathering. But no opposition protest showed up on Saturday afternoon.

Should the Government show mercy? Let us know your thoughts on Neighbourly or email edmc@snl.co.nz