WGAR News: 25 protesters arrested at James Price Point blockade; Petition handed to Minister

Newsletter date: 9 July 2011

Contents:
* 25 protesters arrested at James Price Point blockade
* Kimberley Gas hub petition handed to Minister
* Film Reviews: Our Generation
* Northern Territory (NT) Intervention articles
* Background to the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention

* 25 PROTESTERS ARRESTED AT JAMES PRICE POINT BLOCKADE:

- Protest and blockade updates

Save the Kimberley: Police attempt to break blockade – update Day 30
http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/2011/07/05/police-attempt-to-break-bl...
5 Jul 11: "Before first light the police arrived in force. There have been 25 arrests today. Around 100 campers were woken by police. At least 70 Police ahead of a huge convoy of Browse Joint Venture vehicles including bulldozers and other heavy machinery approached the camp. ... "
[Includes photos and videos.]

See: Save the Kimberley Blog: http://www.savethekimberley.com/wp/blog/

- Audio

The Wire: Struggle continues in the Kimberley as Woodside breaks blockade
[scroll down page] http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2011-07-07
7 Jul 11: "Traditional owners recently agreed to one point five billion dollar settlement to hand the land over to development, but not all local Aboriginal groups agree with the deal. After thirty days of protest, the blockade of James Price Point in the Kimberley has been broken by police and Woodside workers have begun clearing the site in preparation for what will be the largest gas hub development in the country. The Wire’s Chris Brunner caught up with singer, songwriter and Aboriginal activist in the Kimberley, KERRI ANNE COX in our Adelaide Studios… "

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal: The Pain Of A Community As the Bulldozers Roll In
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/177265/t...
6 Jul 11: "Gas Hub Arrests. The blockade of the proposed site of the gas hub at James Price Point in the Kimberley is over. W-A police forced a series of vehicles through the protesters and at least 25 people, including traditional owners, have been arrested. Many of the police officers were flown in from Broome to break up the blockade, which lasted for four weeks. ... 69-year-old Jabbir Jabbir traditional owner, Kay Mckenzie, spoke with WA Correspondent, Jennifer Curtis, during the big push through the blockade." Michelle Lovegrove

SBS Audio and Language: Aboriginal: Land clearing, arrests and removal from country on NAIDOC Week 2011
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/aboriginal/highlight/page/id/177263/t...
6 Jul 11: "Gas Hub Arrests and a Sustainable Community. How sustainble will Kimberley communities remain, if the proposed gas hub at James Price Point becomes a reality? That's one of the questions being asked of the Federal Government, following the arrests of more than 25 people blockading bulldozers from land clearing. ... Greens spokesperson on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues Rachel Siewert has told Michelle Lovegrove - both the WA and Federal Governments are refusing to answer questions." Michelle Lovegrove

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 06-07-2011
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-06-07-2011
6 Jul 11: "Aboriginal people fighting against a planned gas hub in Western Australia’s Kimberley region have vowed to step up protests despite the riot squad making a dozen arrests at a blockade."

The Wire: Police arrest - protesters at Kimberly Woodside gas site
[scroll down page] http://www.thewire.org.au/daydetail.aspx?SearchDay=2011-07-05
5 Jul 11: "Protesters against a controversial gas hub site in the Kimberley were dispersed by police today. Woodside Petroleum is the main company behind the proposed operations for liquefied natural gas. They've been met with fierce resistance from the locals - who've been blocking the site for 30 days. A stand off between police and activists at James Price Point led to 10 people being arrested. Those removed from the site reportedly included an elderly Indigenous woman who was forcibly carried away in her wheelchair. Interview with Nik Wevers from the Broome NO GAS community group."

ABC Kimberley: Protesters arrested on the road to James Price Point for blocking Woodside workers
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/07/05/3261383.htm
5 Jul 11: "The day many have expected for years has come when police removed Aboriginal traditional owners from the road for blocking Woodside bulldozers. It's the culmination of a four week standoff between police, protesters and Woodside Petroleum over preparations for a gas processing plant 60 kilometres north of Broome at James Price Point. The softly softly approach of Western Australia Police towards protesters opposing a gas processing precinct north of Broome is over."

- Media Release

Rachel Siewert: JPP arrests a 'sad reflection' on WA - Greens
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/jpp-arrests...
5 Jul 11: "The Australian Greens said today the arrest and forcible removal of protesters from James Price Point is an indictment on the process being undertaken to develop a LNG hub in the area.
WA Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam have today called for the Environment Minister to put a stop to any land clearing at James Price Point until heritage and environmental assessments have been completed.
"Aboriginal people have been arrested while protesting in protection of their land during NAIDOC Week. This is a sad reflection on Western Australia," Senator Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on the Kimberley and Aboriginal Issues said today."

- Video

Perth Now: Police riot squad corners Kimberley gas hub protesters, 11 arrested
http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/police-riot-squad-corners-kimberley-...
5 Jul 11: "AT least a dozen people have been arrested at James Price Point today as police moved on a group of protesters blocking access to the road to the proposed gas hub. ... "Woodside respects the right of people to protest and express their views in a peaceful and lawful manner,'' he [Woodside Broome operations vice-president Niegel Grazia] said. "However, the threatening, offensive and intimidating behaviour that some of our contractors and Indigenous workers have been subjected to over recent months is unacceptable.'' The Wilderness Society denied allegations protesters were being aggressive."

The West: Police break up gas hub protest
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9783889/police-break-up-gas-hub-...
5 Jul 11: "A month-long protest that stopped workers from beginning work at the site of the $30b gas hub at James Price Point has been broken up by police. Raucous yells of “shame” were drowned out yesterday afternoon by the revving of a huge bulldozer, loader and several unmarked 4WDs as they finally pushed their way through protesters who had blocked the road to the site. The blockade ended yesterday around 4pm after riot police dispersed the protesters, allowing the convoy safe passage along Manari Road."

Hands off Country: Police Heavy Handedness
http://handsoffcountry.blogspot.com/
5 Jul 11: "Witness the barbaric violence that was dished out to one of our community leaders, and respected elder- Mr David Dureau. The young man in this picture- David's son Froggy- is protecting his fathers life. He is now facing charges for resisting arrest and assaulting police."

- News

The West: Son's anger over dad's treatment at protest
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9805655/sons-anger-over-dads-tre...
8 Jul 11: "A Broome man says he will complain to police about the use of excessive force after being arrested and injured when he rushed to help his elderly father who fell in the path of a front-end loader during the protest on the road to James Price Point."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Gas hub blockade continues
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5961...
7 Jul 11: "Police have warned that the dramatic protest blockade at James Price Point over a likely $30 billion gas hub could run into days or weeks. Dozens were arrested today as authorities moved on protesters obstructing access to the proposed gas hub about 60km north or Broome."

National Indigenous Radio Service: Barnett defends police at Kimberley protest
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5952...
7 Jul 11: "Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett has defended the way police dealt with protesters at a site for a proposed gas hub near Broome, amid claims officers used excessive force. Police burst through a protest road blockade to give Woodside Petroleum contractors to the James Price Point site in the Kimberley."

The Telegraph: WA police move on gas hub protest
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/wa-police-move-on-ga...
5 Jul 11: "POLICE have arrested and removed 12 protesters from a blockade of a proposed gas hub site at James Price Point in the Kimberley. Dozens of WA Police officers moved on the road blockade early this morning and began removing people sitting on the road and taking them to police vehicles. Protesters have maintained the road blockade, about 60km north of Broome, for a month, preventing Woodside Petroleum contractors from accessing the site to carry out geotechnical studies."

WA Today: Protesters stand firm amid arrests at gas hub site
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/protesters-stand-firm-amid-arrests-at-...
5 Jul 11: "Protesters who have maintained a blockade for weeks outside the entrance to the James Price Point gas hub have been arrested by police this morning. Dozens of members of the Save The Kimberley group have been blocking the access road to Woodside's property for 29 days, and yesterday started preparing for the situation to ramp up as riot police arrived in Broome. More than 150 protesters flocked to the site early this morning, joining about 60 who have remained there for days."

West Australian: Gas protesters defiant as deal signed
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/business/9760024/gas-prote...
30 Jun 11: "The proposed $30 billion gas processing precinct at James Price point is a step closer after traditional owners, the State Government and Woodside finalised a heads of agreement to secure access to land this morning. ... But protesters were defiant this morning, calling on Aboriginal people around the country to "fight to the death" to protect the land and pledging to blockade the site for as long as it took."

See:

WGAR News: Kimberley gas plant protest and blockade (28 Jun 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/28/wgar-news-kimberley-gas-plant-protest...

* KIMBERLEY GAS HUB PETITION HANDED TO MINISTER:

- News

The West: Aboriginals take fight to Canberra
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/9790898/aboriginals-take-fight-t...
6 Jul 11: "Broome Aboriginals have taken their opposition to the James Price Point gas hub direct to Canberra, yesterday challenging Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke to visit the Kimberley and see the depth of community opposition. They condemned the arrest of protesters as they presented Mr Burke with a petition of 2000 signatures collected in just three weeks, urging rejection of the project."

Koori Mail: Gas hub petition handed to Minister
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
6 Jul 11: "OPPONENTS of an LNG gas hub proposed for James Price Point, north of Broome, have handed a 3000-signature petition to Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke in Canberra. The Kimberley Land Council, WA Government and developer Woodside last week signed an agreement ensuring access to land for the development, which Minister Burke has yet to give environmental approval for. However, a member of the group that met with Mr Burke yesterday says he has promised to visit the Kimberley soon and consult widely with local Aboriginal people."

- Audio

ABC Kimberley: Woodside talk in Broome while community activists take their message to Canberra
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/07/04/3260514.htm?site=kimberley
4 Jul 11: "The fight over Kimberley gas continues as Woodside talks about their plans in Broome and community activists take their 'no gas' message to Canberra. Both sides claim there has been misinformation as well as misrepresentation of the truth. ABC Kimberley delivers the information and allows you to decide."

See:

Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture (22 Jun 11)
http://ccr.uws.edu.au/2011/06/22/kimberley-gas-plant-threatens-aborigina...

Event: Sat 9 July 2011: Redfern, Sydney, NSW
Open Forum Discussion:
Kimberley gas plant threatens Aboriginal culture
Hear from Traditional Owners, Neil Mckenzie and Kerrianne Cox
Media Release and event details: http://ccr.uws.edu.au/2011/06/22/kimberley-gas-plant-threatens-aborigina...
Flyer: http://ccr.uws.edu.au/ccr-hub-wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Redfe...

* FILM REVIEWS: OUR GENERATION

- Film Reviews

Elimatta - Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater:
Our Generation - Showing in London - page 8
http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaWinter2011.pdf
Winter 2011: "The Intervention is yet another example of the appalling treatment the Aboriginal People of Australia have been subjected to in such a short period of time compared to thousands of years of survival. Sinem Saban and Rev. Dr Gondarra supported by the Yolngu people and cinematographer, Damien Curtis, have created a sensitive and realistic view of the plight of those who wish to live a more traditional life in their homelands and of those who appear to be dispossessed." Christine Waterer

Elimatta - Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater:
ASG Information Night: Our Generation - page 6
http://www.asgmwp.net/ElimattaSummer2010.pdf
Summer 2010: "Local resident and journalist, Jeff McMullen introduced "Our Generation", the film by Sinem Saban and Damien Curtis which we were there to see. The film explored in depth the Federal Government Intervention into Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory. Jeff had told us that the film’s producers were not having any success in having the film shown on government or commercial media outlets and they were having to screen it in local community halls to show the community at large just what was involved in the Intervention. It is basically a war on Aboriginal culture. The dispossession of the Aboriginal people is simply continuing in a new guise." Carol Gerrard

See:

Our Generation: http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/

Aboriginal Support Group - Manly Warringah Pittwater: http://www.asgmwp.net/index.htm

- About the Film

About Our Generation
http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/about-2/
"IN BRIEF
OUR GENERATION is a powerful and upfront documentary on the Australian Aboriginal struggle for their land, culture and freedom - a story that has been silenced by the Australian Government and mainstream media. Driven by the remote Yolngu of Northeast Arnhem Land, one of the last strongholds of traditional Aboriginal culture in Australia, as well as the voices of national indigenous leaders, historians and human rights activists, the film explores the ongoing clash of cultures that is threatening to wipe out the oldest continuing culture in the world. With music by John Butler Trio, Yothu Yindi, Xavier Rudd, Gurrumul, Archie Roach, Goanna, Saltwater Band and more. ... "
[Click on above link to read more about the film.]

- Upcoming Screenings

Our Generation Events
http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/events/

* NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION ARTICLES:

- Audio Interview

National Indigenous Radio Service: Malcolm Fraser critical of Intervention audit
http://www.nirs.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5962...
"Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and other prominent Australians from the ‘Concerned Australians' group, have signed an open letter to the federal government outlining their concerns with the current round of community consultation over the NT Intervention. ... Mr Fraser spoke to the Patrick Pollock from the National Indigenous Radio Service"

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 07-07-11
http://caama.com.au/caama-news-7-07-11
7 Jul 11: "Central Australian Aboriginal leader David Ross has used this years NAIDOC address to urge his people to make use of the governments consultation process."

See:

Stop the Intervention: Consultations 2011
http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/consultations-mid-2011

'concerned Australians': New round of consultations 2011
http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

Our Generation: Aboriginal leaders respond to "next intervention"
http://www.ourgeneration.org.au/press/

WGAR News: Reactions to government discussion paper: 'Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory' (24 Jun 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/24/wgar-news-reactions-to-government-dis...

WGAR News: More reactions to Government discussion paper and consultations (29 Jun 11)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2011/06/28/wgar-news-kimberley-gas-plant-protest...

WGAR News: New round of Government consultations in the NT over the Intervention (1 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/01/wgar-news-new-round-of-government-con...

WGAR News: Interviews with Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra about the Government’s consultation process (6 Jul 11)
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/06/wgar-news-interviews-with-rev-dr-djin...

- Analysis / Opinion

Treaty Republic: ABC's 'The Spirit of Things' in Missionary Position
http://treatyrepublic.net/content/abcs-spirit-things-missionary-position
"ABC's Rachael Khon interviewed Bess Price and her husband on this weeks program, 'The Spirit of Things'. It was a one sided affair with Bess's husband Dave having plenty of input regarding his contempt towards Indigenous activists and what he believes is needed for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory. His approach reminds us of christian missionary visions from the past - or perhaps our current government and its opposition." Bruce Skewes, Treaty Republic

See:

Rollback the Intervention: Town camp leader outraged by Bess Price claims on Q and A
http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/media/

- Analysis / Opinion

Socialist Alternative: Screwing over the vulnerable
http://www.sa.org.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=6968:screwing-...
7 Jul 11: "One of the most alarming measures introduced in the last federal budget, and one that largely escaped scrutiny, was the planned expansion of welfare quarantining to 5 areas around the country. ... If there is one lesson to learn from the austerity measures being unleashed in those areas, it is that the rights we have today, like a welfare system and decent conditions at work, will be sacrificed the second that the Australian ruling class demands it. We need to stand against every attack, on any section of the population, ... " Dean Maloney

* BACKGROUND TO THE NORTHERN TERRITORY (NT) INTERVENTION:

Creative Spirits: Northern Territory Emergence Response (NTER) - "The Intervention": http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/northern-terr...

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Northern Territory National Emergency Response: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Territory_intervention

'concerned Australians': Without Justice there can be no Reconciliation: http://www.concernedaustralians.com.au/

STICS (Stop the Intervention Collective Sydney): http://stoptheintervention.org/

CAAMA (Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association) - NT Intervention: http://caama.com.au/?s=NT+Intervention

IRAG (Intervention Rollback Action Group): Mparntwe - Alice Springs: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/

The Greens: Rachel Siewert: Northern Territory Intervention: http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/category/issues/indigenous-rights...

Treaty Republic - NT Intervention: http://treatyrepublic.net/search/node/NT%20Intervention

ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) - NT intervention: http://www.antar.org.au/issues_and_campaigns/nt_intervention

Crikey - NT Intervention: http://www.crikey.com.au/topic/nt-intervention/

Jobs with Justice: http://jobswithjustice.wordpress.com/

MAIC (Melbourne Anti-Intervention Collective): http://maicollective.blogspot.com/

New Matilda - northern territory intervention: http://newmatilda.com/tag/northern-territory-intervention

Amnesty International Australia: Looking back at the Northern Territory Intervention: http://www.amnesty.org.au/indigenous-rights/comments/24460/

Students For Indigenous Rights - UQ: The Northern Territory Intervention: http://uqsir.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/stir-uq-intervention-intro-fact...

Defending Indigenous Rights: http://defendingindigenousrights.wordpress.com/

Intervention walk-off's Blog: http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/

Australian Human Rights Commission: Northern Territory ‘Emergency Response' intervention: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/intervention/index.html

FAIRA; Human Rights Law Resource Centre; NACLC: Australia's compliance with CERD - Fact Sheet 2: Northern Territory Intervention: http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/Fact-Sheet-2-NT-Intervention.pdf

Green Left: Northern Territory intervention: myths and facts: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/39732

WGAR (Working Group for Aboriginal Rights): http://wgar.wordpress.com/

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