Russell Brand has been hailed a hero by a group of asylum seekers who have written a letter to the British comedian to thank him for raising awareness of their plight.
In a recent episode of his Trews online webcast, Brand discussed the controversial detention centre on Manus Island.
Brand blasted Australia's policy of using offshore detention centres and accused Prime Minister Tony Abbott of failing to understand the country's history.
"Stop the boats. What boats? All boats? No, just boats with poor people on them ... Tony, why are there even white people in Australia? How did white people get to Australia?"
The news of Brand's rant reached inmates on Manus Island, and they have written an open letter to the star to thank him for publicising their predicament.
The note, obtained by The Guardian, reads: "Please accept our heartfelt thank you for your efforts and publicity given to our plight ... We are writing from Foxtrot Compound inside the Manus Island offshore detention centre.
"Thank you for remembering us. Our voices are weak and nobody with any power listens to our friends and advocates. So for you to speak about us to such a wide audience is unique and heart-warming to us. Thank you so much."
Share
