Watching the footage of yet more protestors at asylum seeker hotels over the weekend was deeply upsetting.

When I read some of the disgusting language used to describe the residents of these hotels, I think about the people I know personally through volunteering with them – and nothing could be further from the truth.

I think of Hadnan (37), a calm and focused university lecturer who came here from Afghanistan, and is married to a teacher.

I think of Aristide from the Ivory Coast who was forced to flee his home country due to his involvement in opposition politics and was devastated when his brother died and he couldn’t attend the funeral.

Of Kevin, who fled persecution in Namibia and was too scared to leave his hotel room for two days during recent protests outside.

And Said (24), a

See Full Page