INTV, 14 Oct 2013 – Father Brian Midway, President of the Australia High Council of Protestant Churches, joined the ranks of hunger strikers in Melbourne and said we will remain here until the seven hostages are freed.

Announcing his joining to the hunger strikers, Father Midway had this to say:

“There are pictures here of 52 people that two months ago were living and breathing people, who were innocent people, who were vulnerable people and now they are dead. They were killed by the Iraqi military and they were killed just out of pure hate and frightfulness from the Iranian government and we are here today because of them, we are their voice. They no longer have a voice, but we are their voice and I will be their voice. These are people of great character and great quality. These are people who stand for the very things that you stand for every day, freedom and democracy and justice. These are things that we enjoy but these people have been denied it. They have been promised protection from the United Nations, they have been promised protection from the United States, they have been promised protection by the Australian government, and they have been betrayed again, again and again. They have been maimed.
“These people do not bear arms, they do not want to kill, they do not want to fight, they just want freedom and justice for their family, and these people here they have laid down their lives because of this cause. And the people you see along here, my brothers and sisters from Iran, these people are standing to be their voices today, and in Australia they need a voice. They need a voice in Australia and around the world they need friends.
“Our government has said nothing. People have been killed seven times now, people have been wounded, people have been denied medical help, and they have been denied a statement from our government. And I want to call on Judy Bishop and Tony Abbot to say why isn’t somebody in our government saying these people need our protection. These people need our support. Why is this? Nobody knows the reason for this and we are standing here to say we will be their voice and we want you to be their voice. And I want to say today we are on hunger strike today because I am proud to stand here as their friend. My voice will be silent either until these people have justice and freedom and dignity. That’s what they deserve.”