Nyungar Elder speaks out against the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 29/10/2011 - 3:06pm"Why would I bow down to them? I will not be a token Aborigine for them and bow down to world leaders, heads of government who commit one human rights abuse after another, including genocide."
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), opened by the Queen, was held in Perth on Friday October 28 to Monday October 31. The event incorporated an Aboriginal presence and events included a welcome to country. However, one of Western Australia's prominent Nyungar Elders, Ben Taylor refused an invitation to be part of the CHOGM and instead opened the rally for justice against the CHOGM, with a welcome to country and the first speech, on Friday, at 10am in Forrest Place, Perth while the Queen's motorcade passed nearby.
Mr Taylor said, "Why would I bow down to them? I will not be a token Aborigine for them and bow down to world leaders, heads of government who commit one human rights abuse after another, including genocide."