The Stream

Australians gather to #LightTheDark

Nation-wide vigils held after asylum seeker’s death to demand greater transparency on immigration.

Thousands of Australians held candlelight vigils for an Iranian asylum seeker who was killed at an Australian-run immigration centre. 23-year-old Reza Berati was killed and 77 others were injured on February 17 when violence erupted on Manus Island, located in Papua New Guinea.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott defended the actions of Australian authorities. An investigation by both Australia and Papua New Guinea into the incident is ongoing.

Many used #LightTheDark on Sunday night to share scenes of the nation-wide vigil and demand transparency into the immigration system. The hashtag was used more 5,000 times on the day of the vigil.