The Vigil acted as a form of protest against the NSW
Minister for Planning Frank Sartor’s
rezoning of The Block which renders the Pemulwuy Project unachievable, despite
the
AHC’s ownership
of 22 houses in the area and the rights it has to develop its own land.
Gatherers in Lawson Square were serenaded by Richard Green’s
stirring Gadigal chant before former
Redfern Anglican minister, Bishop John McIntyre,
who had travelled from his current post in Victoria, described Sartor’s actions as discriminatory against Aboriginal
people and therefore a ‘racist act’. REDWatch speaker Geoff Turnbull confirmed that
Sartor’s draft plans to have lower
density housing in The Block relative to higher density housing in other areas
was in fact discriminatory.
The Vigil then made its way from Lawson Square to The Block to greet
organiser of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Isabell Coe, who currently inhabits
The Block in support of the commercially and culturally researched Pemulwuy
Project. Isobell told the enthusiastic audience, “We’re
not going anywhere!”, and alongside Aunty Madre Woodword, an elder from
the Central Coast, led Vigil participants in a
ceremonial burning of gum leaves to promote peace and justice.
In homage to Block dwellers, the Vigil then toured the
neighbourhood, settling outside the Redfern Community Centre to hear a number
of speakers including Pemulwuy Project director Peter
Valilis. who pointed out, “It is no longer an Aboriginal
issue, it’s a community issue”.
AHC CEO Mick Mundine asked Aboriginals to stand together as one race. Then,
legendary Aboriginal boxer Lionel Rose spoke and was followed by a current
Aboriginal legend in the sport, Anthony Mundine.
Anthony did not confirm he would run as a candidate for the
seat of Marrickville in support of the Pemulwuy Project, with The Block to
become a part of the electorate) in next March’s
election. He did, however, speak more broadly about what he considers to be an
injustice to his people.
“Aboriginal people can be the best of the best, we just
need a little light,” said Anthony. “The Pemulwuy Project will do
good for the community”.
A legend of a different kind, Tom Uren, the former Minister
for Urban and Regional Development in the Whitlam Government, described Frank
Sartor as “a man of excessive arrogance” who had been in the Labor
party “only five minutes, yet seemed to be making all the decisions”.
While Sydney’s Gird Mayor Clover Moore could not attend the
vigil she did arrive later in the evening and spoke with The South Sydney
Herald. “I have come to show my support for the AHC and the company’s right to develop its land, just as every other
NSW citizen has the right to develop their own land,” explained Clover.
“The NSW Government has not consulted the community. They are acting as
judge, jury and developer and it’s
simply outrageous.”
A number of Greens, Labour and Liberal members attended the
night as a show of support for the AHC’s
Pemulwuy Project.
Photo: Aboriginal activists lead leaf-burning ceremony
[South Sydney Herald September 2006]