Why other GetUp members have taken the pledge

• "Because I have endless admiration for the courage of people who will risk their lives to come here in a leaky boat for the sake of their families and their futures: in that, 'they' are the same as 'us' and deserve at least our compassion."
  Michelle - 2047
• "Nothing makes me more upset than this country's treatment of asylum-seekers. To abuse and incarcerate such vulnerable people out of fear, ignorance, laziness or for political gain is disgusting. "
  Jennifer - 2039
• " Everyone deserves a chance"
  meredith - 5127
• "I'm taking the pledge because an ignorant majority have poorly informed opinions of a troubled minority."
  Geoff - 3184
• " Every body deserves a fair chance at a good life! No matter where you were born."
  Barbara - 3058
• " In the end, if we are not indigenous, we are all boat people. Australia's strength has always been in it's diversity. In this era more than ever, we need set an example for other nations and display friendship towards refugees."
  Harriet - 200
• " Because I'm sick of this country's endless white Anglo-Saxon colonialism towards other races and peoples. We need to open up and become citizens of this one precious planet."
  Sambodh - 2483
• " EVERYONE has the right to do whatever they can to keep their families safe and to seek a better life. Stand in the shoes of a refugee and ask yourself if you would do anything differently if faced with the same circumstances. Probably not."
  Renata - 2136
• "Because I do not want my baby daughter to grow up surrounded by an intolerant society. The values that we want to instill in her are of acceptance and empathy not fear and racism."
  Nikki - 6285
• " Australia is on its way to becoming a mean country. I want Australia to be a generous, open country."
  Anne - 6016
• "we need to look at things from a global perspective and counter the misinformation of the local media"
  Robyn - 3058
• " We only have to look at the successful ( and grateful) refugees of the past to know that we need to help these people"
  Alison - 2430
• "People need to know the truth about issues such as this, so they can make informed opinions, rather than believing everything they hear in the media."
  Simone - 3126
• " I am against asylum seekers, and refugees, we should take the appoach of other western countries. Whe are land of opportunity but how long will that be so?"
  David - 2145
• " I'm not sure how I could claim to be a follower of Jesus and not challenge this racism with compassion."
  Jarrod Saul - 6054
• " Let's end the cycle of misinformation and sensationalised hysteria. Stop watching Border Security!"
  Simon - 2163
• "Advance Australia Fair - really? How fair and just is the treatment of those who come from trauma, distress, persecution, etc etc seeking asylum?"
  Frances - 2770
• "It's not illegal to ask for asylum, and I'm getting just a bit tired of being ashamed to be Australian. Grow some, Australia, let them come! (hearts, why what did you think I meant?)"
  Adam - 4051
• " Our Afghan friends are ordinary people who had experienced extraordinary lives before arriving in Australia. We need to see that refugees are not enemies, rather they reflect the adage "There but for the grace of God go I""
  Chris - 2594
• "I just don't get the political point scoring! Labour don't intuitively believe this crap but they are scared of percieved votes and a public backlash that is a myth in itself"
  Chris - 2289
• " I just feel so desperately sad for people seeking asylum."
  Maree - 2540
• " I am sick of being ashamed of our attitude towards asylum seekers. When Malcolm Fraser encouraged Vietnamese asylum seekers to settle here, Gough Whitlam didn't play the race card. Why do we think this is okay now?"
  Penelope - 2015
• "Freedom is a basic human right. If people can't obtain freedom in their own country - i'm prepared to share this country with them! "
  Larelle - 4113
• "Because, like most Aussies, I believe in giving a hellping hand to someone who is down, and refugees often repay that kindness many times over."
  Stephen - 3860
• " To advance a FAIR Australia."
  John - 3463
• " I worry that the ignorant statements spread like a disease, some talk back hosts are particularly to blame but all media loves to jump on the band wagon."
  Khristine - 6163
• " Xenophobia is one of Australia`s more debillitating weaknesses"
  norman - 2444
• " I want to help those that are less fortunate than i, they are poor and vulnerable and need our compasion and help."
  Gary - 6280
• " Very important we don't go back to the dismal racism and scare-mongering of the early 2000s, Rudd's wavering on how to respond and needs every encouragement from progressive elements of our society to open up a more humane discourse on asylum seekers."
  Ned - 2612
• "Asylum seekers, regardless whether they arrive on boats or planes should be treated with dignity."
  Heng - 2026
• " We have so much and are so lucky in this country, why not share it with other people in need, after all we are all human beings, we all deserve to be safe in the world"
  MARY - 6025
• " What if it was me or my family seeking asylum? If we/they genuinely need help then it should be given. Our laws should protect us from those who are not genuine refugees."
  Julie - 2147
• " I believe everyone who sets out from their homeland and culture under life-threatening circumstances is a genuine refugee. They are not to blame for their situation causing them to take such risks. First world countries are."
  Ralda - 3162
• " I want our political leaders to have the courage to lead Australia to its rightful position as a caring country which welcomes unfortunate refugees, and does not vilify them. The current "debate" at the federal political is absolutely ridiculous."
  Ross - 2617
• " I corresponded with and supported some asylum seekers a few years ago and they now have Australian citezenship. I also wrote to politicians following Julian Burnsides guidlines. Would do the same again!"
  patricia - 3898
• " I can't stand ignorance and the way people just blindly believe everything the media has to say. When I hear some of the comments that come out of people's mouths - I just cringe. Time to get informed people."
  Christina - 3159
• "So many reasons to take this pledge! To end the inhumanity of our politicians and their schoolyard antics with the lives of those in great need."
  declan - 3066
• "To end the ignorant racism that causes so much unnecessary suffering."
  Rob - 2031
• " Because life is more than possessions and lifestyles and selfishness and mortgages and interest rates and christmas presents. Life for some can be only war, violence, poverty, desperation and dreaming of escape. Wear someone elses shoes! "
  Wendy Rose - 2640
• " Social Justice for all"
  Bernie - 3551
• " Can we even begin to imagine the dispair and desparation of people seeking asylum for themselves and their families? We are so fortunate to live where we do, surely a little empathy and support for people in this situation is warranted. "
  Kerry - 4507
• " BECAUSE, i BELIEVE WE ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE MUCH WORSE OFF THAN WE ARE AND WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DO SO. iN ONE WAY AND ANOTHER WE ARE CONECTED TO ALL HUMANITY. "
  Kath - 3352
• " Bring thr HUMAN BEINGS on thr Viking Warrior to Australia Now. Ivor Mortom"
  Ivor - 2778
• " Surely we are not back on that divisive nonesense. We have enough and enough to share."
  PATRICIA - 2088
• " We have lived through the last onslaught of lies and deception aboput asylum seekers and I would really like it to be nipped in the bud before the hysteria set in again."
  Claudette - 5700
• " Because every one is entitled to live in safety."
  Elspeth - 7316
• "As i was once asylum seeker myself. people don't understand why these people are fleeing their own countries but if they took the time out to read into why these people want to come to Australia then they would understand. "
  Anya - 2163
• "I'm sick of politicians saying the same thing year after year.They demonize people who desperately need us to welcome them and care for them. "
  merle - 3000
• " The world needs to replace hatred and prejudice with love and compassion"
  Barbara - 5152