It’s seven in the morning and huddled in a park I join
dozens of protesters departing from Redfern to join the convergence in Canberra protesting the government’s Indigenous
intervention in the Northern
Territory.
Organisers estimate around 200 people have descended into
Redfern from all over Sydney
to cram into four coaches.
They come from all walks of life: students with blue hair,
journalists and photographers, as well as activists and locals from Sydney’s Indigenous
communities.
“I think that we have this huge history [with Indigenous
people]. We need to do something about it. We need to start working to
something better – a better future,” says Clare Kelly, a UTS nursing student.
The protest scheduled for the first day of parliament is on
the eve of incumbent Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s historic apology to Australia’s
Stolen Generations.
For Greg Smith, the Chairperson for the Aboriginal Daruj
Tribal Corporation, the journey is profoundly personal. His father, born of a
white father and black mother, was removed at age seven to a “gully” or mission
in 1935, during the government’s official “protectionist” policy. He endured
years of physical abuse before running away as a teenager.
“The government
finally accepting it was wrong what their fathers done to us. It is wrong what
the government even today is doing to us. It is wrong their students are not
told – what does it mean to be not recognised, to be called a half-caste,” says
Mr Smith.
“It’s not about money. It’s about respect, it’s about
acceptance. It’s about reaching out – so our children they can move forward.”
It starts raining as we bump along the highway and Smith
smiles, “This protest rally, the weather won’t stop it. This is mother Earth
crying for her people.”
For Uncle Les Beckett, an Indigenous local from Lilyfield,
the protest is also deeply personal.
“I was born in 1948 and I wasn’t a citizen in this country
until 1967. This is another historical event and I want to be a part of it.
It’s really important for Aboriginal people in Australia.”
The intervention, instigated by the Howard Government in
June last year, included bans on alcohol and x-rated pornography in 73
Aboriginal townships and government takeover of Aboriginal community leases in
the Northern Territory. At the time the intervention was justified as a way to
tackle Indigenous disadvantage and child sex abuse.
The intervention laws, passed in August last year, required
the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act in order to make modifications
to the Liquor Act, leases of Aboriginal townships, and even changes to
considerations in bail provisions.
The move was widely criticised by Indigenous leaders as a
paternalistic land grab and an attempt to extinguish Indigenous culture.
As we arrive in Canberra’s
Old Parliament House at 11.30am, a festival atmosphere prevails. Television
crews mill about. Tents and small fires decorate the lawns interspersed with
Rainbow chai and cake stands. Buses pull in periodically.
Jenny Ebsworth of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in
Penrith believes the apology is a good move, but she is against the continuing
Intervention. “I think [protesting] is important because what happened with the
intervention it seems like they’re going backwards not forwards,” she says.
“I think it’s damaging because the way they’re treating
Aboriginal people as if they can’t take care of themselves. We want the
government to move towards reconciliation and work with the Aboriginal people
and listen rather than overrule us.”
At 12.30 crowds are called to hush as a large circle of
leaves is placed around a sacred central fire. One by one participants are
invited to place a leaf onto the fire symbolising the cause of peace and
justice.
Speeches are made and a crowd of over 2000 now starts the
protest to Parliament House with the rallying cry, “No to intervention! Human
rights for all!”
The beat of Indigenous dances, didgeridoo and live music
follow as protesters chant and sing along.
Photo: Ali Blogg – Caption: Waiting for the bus to Canberra
Source:
South Sydney Herald March 2008 – www.southsydneyherald.com.au