Newsletter date: 24 May 2012
Contents:
* BNI: Trade union support strengthens NT nuclear waste dump campaign
* Background to the proposed Muckaty nuclear waste dump
* Tracker: Brisbane tent embassy given permanent site
* Video: Sam Watson: The police attack on the Aboriginal Sovereign Tent Embassy, Brisbane
* ISJA: On Sovereign Embassies and police brutality
* IC: More Aboriginal Tent Embassies Appearing Throughout Australia
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* Video: Lest We Forget the Frontier Wars - ANZAC Day 2012
* BNI: TRADE UNION SUPPORT STRENGTHENS NT NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP CAMPAIGN
- Media Release
Beyond Nuclear Initiative: Trade union support strengthens NT nuclear waste dump campaign
http://beyondnuclearinitiative.com/2012/05/17/trade-union-support-streng...
17 May 12: "Muckaty Traditional Owners have welcomed news that Australia’s peak trade union body, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, has today committed to actively support the campaign against a proposed radioactive waste dump at Muckaty, 120km north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
The ACTU National Congress unanimously passed a motion (full text below) expressing 'disappointment that the highly contested Muckaty Land Trust site will continue to be pursued’ and agreeing to stand 'in solidarity with Traditional Owners and communities resisting federal government plans for a radioactive waste dump'.
The move comes as a further blow to plans by Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to advance the highly contested waste dump site at Muckaty. Recent legislation, the National Radioactive Waste Management Act (NRWMA), names Muckaty as the only site to be further assessed for a national radioactive dump and allows the Minister to override any state or territory law that would hinder the dump being built, but the plan faces growing political, legal and community challenge. ... "
* BACKGROUND TO THE PROPOSED MUCKATY NUCLEAR WASTE DUMP:
Last updated: 6 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-proposed-muckaty-nu...
* TRACKER: BRISBANE TENT EMBASSY GIVEN PERMANENT SITE
- News
Brisbane tent embassy given permanent site
newsTracker: http://tracker.org.au/2012/05/brisbane-tent-embassy-given-permanent-site/
The West: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/13748857/brisbane-tent-emb...
23 May 12: "QUEENSLAND: A scaled-down Aboriginal tent embassy will remain permanently in a Brisbane park, but protesters will not be allowed to return to the original site. Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk agreed to hand over an area of South Brisbane’s Musgrave Park to Indigenous protesters during a meeting on Tuesday. Tent embassy protesters have been camped at the alternative location at one end of the park since Wednesday of last week."
- Related Video
YouTube: Brisbane Tent Embassy Future
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur99BkWFw6c
22 May 12: "Sam Watson explains the meeting with Aboriginal leaders met with the Brisbane Mayor on the 22nd May 2012"
ABC: Aboriginal leaders strike tent embassy deal
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-22/aboriginal-leaders-strike-tent-emb...
Updated 23 May 12: "A deal has been struck between Aboriginal leaders and the Brisbane City Council over the future of a tent embassy. ... Community worker Sam Watson says the meeting was positive. "We came away very pleased because we really do believe we are going to have a constructive and strong pathway forward," he said. Mr Watson says the council also wants traditional owners to have more say in the management of Musgrave Park."
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio Online News 23.05.2012
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-online-news-23-05-2012
23 May 12: "Aboriginal rights campaigners in Brisbane have described Tuesdays meeting with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk as a major victory with all parties agreeing that the top end of Musgrave Park will become a designated Aboriginal cultural space."
- Related News
Courier Mail: Aboriginal cultural centre mooted as tent embassy talks kick off
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/aboriginal-cultural-centre...
23 May 12: "AN Aboriginal cultural centre may be in the works as peaceful talks between the Brisbane City Council and the embattled tent embassy began yesterday. The two sides, whose last attempt at negotiation ended in the violent removal of more than 50 protesters from Musgrave Park by more than 200 police last week, have renewed talks to accommodate the Aboriginal tent embassy's ties with the land in West End. Tent embassy spokesman Sam Watson said Lord Mayor Graham Quirk had strongly supported the idea of financially supporting a cultural centre in Musgrave Park."
Brisbane Times: Tent embassy to stay
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/tent-embassy-to-stay-20120522...
23 May 12: "The controversial Aboriginal tent embassy will remain at Musgrave Park as talks between the indigenous community and Brisbane City Council begin to recognise a traditional bora ring at the site, lord mayor Graham Quirk said last night. However, the tents must remain where they currently stand – in the southern corner of Musgrave Park – and only one ceremonial fire can be lit at one time. In addition, the indigenous community is likely to be able to self-govern the community hall on the southern corner of Musgrave Park, the council-run Jagera Community Hall."
9 News: Mayor, Qld protesters to meet over embassy
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8471277/mayor-qld-protesters-to-meet...
22 May 12: "Brisbane's lord mayor will on Tuesday meet with protesters over the future of an Aboriginal tent embassy shut down in a city park. The protest, in support of Aboriginal land rights, was dismantled last week to make way for a Greek festival in Musgrave Park. About 270 police moved in after the Brisbane City Council sought help to enforce its eviction order. More than 30 people were arrested. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says he'll meet on Tuesday afternoon with indigenous representatives about the future of the embassy, which has moved to a site adjacent to the park."
Brisbane Times: Musgrave Park cultural centre hopes revived
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/musgrave-park-cultural-centre...
22 May 12: "A meeting this morning between Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and Brisbane's indigenous leaders is hoped to kick start progress on the problematic issue of an indigenous cultural centre in Brisbane. Brisbane is the only Australian capital city without an indigenous cultural centre. The 11am meeting will also try to find a way to house a "Sovereign Tent Embassy" at Musgrave Park."
News.com.au : Mayor says no to 'massive' tent embassy
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/mayor-says-no-to-massive-tent-embas...
22 May 12: "THERE will be no "full blown" tent embassy in a Brisbane park where 31 people were arrested for resisting an eviction last week, the city's mayor said. Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk today met indigenous representatives on the future of the Musgrave Park site. Mr Quirk said he would allow the tent embassy protesters to have their say, but he had already made it clear to them they wouldn't be allowed to have a large site in the park."
* VIDEO: SAM WATSON: THE POLICE ATTACK ON THE ABORIGINAL SOVEREIGN TENT EMBASSY, BRISBANE
- Video
YouTube: Sam Watson: The police attack on the Aboriginal Sovereign Tent Embassy, Brisbane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uINVfR_ss7c
21 May 12: "Aboriginal leader Sam Watson discusses the brutal dawn eviction by 300 police of the peaceful embassy in Brisbane; the importance of the Tent Embassy movement; the need for unity to fight the LNP government which he compares to the days of Joh; and where to for the struggle for sovereignty. Please share to help the struggle for Aboriginal rights and justice.
More at: www.greenleft.org.au
Sam Watson is a Murri leader, filmmaker, playwright, and the Socialist Alliance national spokesperson on Indigenous Rights.
More on Socialist Alliance at: www.socialist-alliance.org "
- Related Audio Interview
ABC Brisbane Afternoons: Tent Embassy
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2012/05/tent-embassy.html?site=brisba...
16 May 12: "Did you watch scenes at the Indigenous Tent Embassy in Musgrave Park in inner Brisbane when about 200 police went to dismantle the site. 30 people were arrested others were escorted or dragged away from the area. ...
Dr Libby Connors is a Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Southern Queensland. Indigenous leader.
Sam Watson was one of those at the site this morning when police arrived."
- Related Audio
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:
CAAMA Radio News 21.5.12
http://caama.com.au/caama-radio-news-21-5-12
21 May 12: "Aboriginal rights campaigners from the Brisbane Sovereign Tent Embassy have lodged an official complaint with the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission following last week’s dismantling of the Embassy site and the arrest of 35 people."
- Related News
National Indigenous Radio Service: CMC complaint not a publicity stunt: Watson
http://www.nirs.org.au/news/latest-news/7226-cmc-complaint-not-a-publici...
22 May 12: "Members of the Brisbane Sovereign Embassy have lodged a complaint with the Crime and Misconduct Commission regarding the circumstances of the shutting down of their campsite last week. ... He [Sam Watson] says complaint is a genuine attempt to access information and isn't a publicity stunt. "There's higher priorities here than public opinion. "This is about the rights of Aboriginal people to gather in a sacred place like Musgrave Park to establish a protest site, to administer and to then having a mass number of heavily-armed police come in to close that protest site down. ... ""
Greek and Aboriginal community help open festival
newsTracker: http://tracker.org.au/2012/05/greek-and-aboriginal-community-help-open-f...
9 News: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8470464/communities-heal-after-embas...
21 May 12: "QUEENSLAND: South Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Greek communities have come together in celebration, easing tensions over the forced eviction of a protest site. ... The festival’s [Paniyiri Greek festival] official opening on Sunday included a welcome to country ceremony by the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal dancers, including Traditional Owner Shannon Ruska. Thousands cheered and Aboriginal embassy protesters and elders introduced to the crowd were applauded."
Brisbane Times: Joh-era politics? Not quite, says Aboriginal historian
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/johera-politics-not-quite-say...
19 May 12: "Brisbane Aboriginal historian Dr Ray Kerkhove seemed somewhat bemused at comments this week that the Joh-era had returned to Queensland under the new LNP Government. He quietly begs to differ. This week 200 police on Wednesday removed protesters from Brisbane’s Musgrave Park, then let protesters march through the City, down to Parliament House, protest, then march their down to the City Watchhouse, protest again, before they slowly made their way back to South Brisbane."
Courier Mail: Activists meet with CMC
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/musgrave-park-sovereign-tent-embassy-...
18 May 12: "Sovereign Tent Embassy members have vowed to regain their camp site in Brisbane's Musgrave Park, after a meeting with the Crime and Misconduct Commission today. Embassy members attended CMC headquarters in Fortitude Valley this afternoon to file complaints against Premier Campbell Newman, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Police Minister Jack Dempsey and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson. Embassy protesters are livid about police ushering them away from their camp site on Wednesday morning."
See:
WGAR News: "Brisbane police move on Aboriginal Tent Embassy" The Wire (18 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/18/wgar-news-brisbane-police-move-on-abo...
WGAR News: "Brisbane City Council to try to forcibly remove Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy" MR (16 May 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/16/wgar-news-brisbane-city-council-to-tr...
Sovereign Union: Sovereign Embassy Brisbane
http://nationalunitygovernment.org/content/sovereign-embassy-brisbane
[Musgrave Park, Brisbane, Qld]
Facebook: Brisbane Sovereign Embassy, Musgrave Park
http://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneSovereignEmbassyMusgravePark
[Musgrave Park, Brisbane, Qld]
* ISJA: ON SOVEREIGN EMBASSIES AND POLICE BRUTALITY
Media Release
On Sovereign Embassies and police brutality
Media release by the Indigenous Social Justice Association
Indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/19/on-sovereign-embassies-and-police-bru...
19 May 12: "On Friday 25th 2012 we will be holding a supporting rally for our Brothers and Sisters who were evicted by force out of their Sovereign Embassies in Perth and in Brisbane. They were peacefully camped on their Traditional Lands and holding constructive talks about what action would be required to have the relevant State Governments to accept their right to locate a permanent Sovereign Embassy on their own Lands, among other rights.
That Right has been accepted and won for the Tent Embassy in the ACT and it is our view that there must be granted by State and Territory Governments that permanent Sovereign Embassies be located in each capital city and/or any other designated location as chosen by the Traditional Owners. This is our Right on our invaded Lands. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land."
- Related Upcoming Event
Event: Fri 25 May 2012: Sydney, NSW
Supporting rally for our Brothers and Sisters
evicted by force out of their
Sovereign Embassies in Perth and in Brisbane
Indigenous Social Justice Association
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/supporting-rally-for-our-brothers-and-sisters-ev...
Event details: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/19/on-sovereign-embassies-and-police-bru...
Background: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* IC: MORE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES APPEARING THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA
- Analysis / Opinion
Intercontinental Cry: More Aborginal Tent Embassies Appearing Throughout Australia
http://intercontinentalcry.org/more-aborginal-tent-embassies-appearing-t...
21 May 12: "The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is legendary. Located beside the Old Parliament House in Canberra, the Embassy was established in 1972 in order to demand sovereignty for Australia's Indigenous peoples. Over the years, the Embassy has become an important symbol for Indigenous Peoples throughout the world. ... And the Embassy is far from alone. In fact, right now, there are a total of seven Embassies dotted around the Australian coast; several of which have emerged in the past few months. ... this growing movement needs your support."
* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:
Last updated: 21 May 2012
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereig...
* VIDEO: LEST WE FORGET THE FRONTIER WARS - ANZAC DAY 2012
- Video
YouTube: Lest We Forget the Frontier Wars - ANZAC Day 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeCY8XUCu5Q
11 May 12: "For the second year, Aboriginal people and supporters honour all those who died in defence of their land on Australian soil. Carrying banners recalling the Frontier Wars and massacres of Aboriginal freedom fighters, the group led by Michael Anderson march behind the ANZAC Day march in Canberra. There is warm support from the spectators and police."
- - -
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http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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