The Wire

Demonstrations are continuing on Christmas Island after 300 asylum seekers broke out of the North West Point Detention Centre over the weekend. After an initial escape of 150 protestors on Friday night, another group broke through the centers fences on Saturday, staging a peaceful protest around the island. The refugees are protesting against the lengthy visa application process which has seen some individuals detained for up to 2 years. With reports that tear gas was used on the demonstrators overnight it seems that both security and the refugees are settling in for a longer protest than usual.