The episode of I Was Actually There, airing on ABC Australia on Tuesday, 6 August 2024, at 8:00 p.m., is a look back at a significant event in Australia’s history: a demonstration against indefinite mandatory detention at the Woomera Detention Centre.
The protest attracts over a thousand concerned citizens from across the country to the remote Woomera Detention Centre, located in the midst of the South Australian desert. Among the protesters are church groups, environmental activists, and members of the queer community, united by their shared concern for the well-being of those detained indefinitely.
Activists spontaneously tear down the perimeter fencing and rush towards the main facility, driven by their desire to show solidarity with the asylum seekers held within. The raw emotions of both the protesters and the asylum seekers are captured in never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts. Ali Malekizad, an asylum seeker at the time, recalls the surprising turnout, describing it as a moment of unity and hope.
The protest escalates as inner fences are breached, and asylum seekers scatter into the vast desert, raising difficult questions for both activists and detainees. Protesters are faced with moral dilemmas and split-second decisions, such as whether to aid an escapee or not. The episode explores the personal reflections and consequences that arise in the aftermath of the protest, including the potential impact on the lives of those involved.
I Was Actually There, Series 1, Episode 5 airs Tuesday, 6 August 2024, at 8:00 p.m. on ABC Australia.
