ACTION ALERT!
Please circulate widely

support is needed for the block - widest possible circulation
two clumps of housing already demolished
current development application - 44-56 eveleigh st Redfern
the block community speakout hand delivered to the council meeting 17/2/99
their strong objection to the demolition of the block for a better black

they spoke out about the dispersal of black peoples and called on
international law to stop decisions that result in genocide
council approval was given on 23/2/99 because councilors were told that the
properties were uninhabited
this portion of the block is not uninhabited
even tho properties are in appauling condition
squatting is one step away from homelessness for these women, children and
men, old and young

how did housing, in an area that desperately needs housing, end up being
seen in local government eyes as uninhabited

there is a history of forced civil evictions, with police involvement, for
some of the addresses that have been demolished, or are up for demolition
in the current application 

bona fide lease holders have been 'relocated' one way or another
some scared out, some thrown out, some paid to relocate, some had their
homes destroyed around their ears and for the safety of their families,
some moved out of their own accord
 
for many reasons some can't return to their homes 
all are refugees in their own land, forced to leave the black heart of
australia - land that was granted to black australia, that has somehow
become 'owned' in such a way as to invoke civil evictions 

some who were previously relocated have returned, albeit without the status
of lessee, which makes them invisible to decision makers who remain
uninformed about their local communities, or who ignore the reality of
local life such that approval for demolition is given on the basis of
deception - ie that the 'owner' has vacant possession

the remaining residents and visiting community, watch for the bulldozers
whilst trying to survive on the many circuits that interact to manifest as
their individual lives

the community has spoken, but it has not been underestood or is ignored by
decision makers

bulldozing for a better black is not the answer to what is troubling the
block 
already 24 hour policing has not stopped nor reduced the drug trade, nor
sexual and physical violence, nor other 'incidences' that abound
there is genocide daily enacted by perpetrator and protector alike

please add your voice to this speakout and stop this deliberate dispersal
of a peoples
add your energies to rebuilding the block according to what the community
know they need

what to do - add yourself to our mailing list to receive information about
other ways to make change
- send your message of support asap to our po box or email - we will
forward them as one speak to the community, the council, state and federal
government - hoping to get enough 'voices' together to be finally heard, in
our own land, at home - now

a petition from the grandmothers on the block will follow shorty, your
signature will add support to their statement

add your heartbeat to the black heart of australia
the block community speakout
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.isis.aust.com/theblock
PO Box 1 Annandale NSW Australia 2038
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