Please distribute widely�.
URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT URGENT
We encourage all supporters of Indigenous Rights to contact the South
Sydney City Council stating their support for the Victoria Park Tent
Embassy (see details below)
To support the Victoria Park Aboriginal Tent Embassy phone the South Sydney
City Council on tel: 02 9288 5000 or email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
***************************************************************************
On the 14th July, Isabel Coe, a veteran and elder of the Aboriginal Tent
Embassy in Canberra established an off shoot of the original Embassy, in
Victoria Park across the road from the University of Sydney. The Victoria
Park Embassy will be used to inform visitors and the media during the
Olympics about the suppression of Indigenous rights by past and present
governments.
On July 25, South Sydney City Council, issued the Embassy with a letter
stating that they were currently unlawful occupying the park and demanded
that they agree to Council terms if they wished to remain (attached below,
with Embassy response).
In addition to the Council's attempt to close down the Embassy, a number of
Sydney's radio "shock jocks" have gone on the offensive, labeling the
Embassy a disgrace and encouraging listeners to ring the Council and complain.
In response, the Indigenous Student Network (ISN), who unanimously agreed
to endorse the Victoria Park Embassy at a recent meeting, have launched a
email and phone campaign in support of the Embassy.
We encourage all supporters of Indigenous Rights to contact the South
Sydney City Council stating their support for the Embassy.
To support the Victoria Park Aboriginal Tent Embassy phone the South Sydney
City Council on tel: 02 9288 5000 or email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Please distribute this email widely.
The Tent Embassy also welcomes any donations of funds or goods (e.g.
seating, tents, equipment, kitchen utensils etc) to assist in its
running. All visitors welcome.
Kim Bullimore
On behalf of the Indigenous Student Network
Media Release issued by the Victoria Park Tent Embassy in response to the
Council's letter.
COUNCIL THREATENS ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy has been set up to assert Aboriginal
Sovereignty and in particular highlight how the Aboriginal people are
regarded as "aliens" in our own land. We call upon the Australian
community to respect our universal right to life.
We welcome the dialogue that has transpired between the Aboriginal Tent
Embassy and the South Sydney Council and call for full co-operation in
achieving a peaceful coexistence whilst the Aboriginal Tent Embassy carries
on our aims and objectives which are safeguarded by the United Nations
Human Rights Instruments. The Tent Embassy believes that common sense can
only prevail in this regard. For the last two mornings the Mayor of South
Sydney Council and the Newtown Police had arranged meetings with
representatives of the Embassy at 10 am each day. The Mayor and
representatives of the Police did not show up for these meetings and this
morning the Council sent a couple of minor representatives around to
deliver a letter that outlined the conditions of agreement for occupation
of Victoria Park. This seems unusual to us since we have been here from
Friday 14 July, the 28th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. We
are enclosing a copy of this letter.
The Embassy's responses to the conditions imposed are listed hereunder:
1. "only one tent and caretakers accommodation may be set up in the
100 square meters defined by council"
RESPONSE: This condition reinforces past policies and interferes with our
ancient right to assemble and have a corroboree.
2. "the site must be vacated within one week of the Olympics"
RESPONSE: That decision will be decided at the time.
3. "A maximum number of four people specifically nominated by name
occupying the campsite overnight"
RESPONSE: This interferes with the camp function as a community and it is
not safe to have a Maximum number of 4 people.
4. "the business of the campsite be only conducted during sunrise to
sunset"
RESPONSE: The Aboriginal Tent Embassy since its inception in 1972 as always
operated on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis.
5. "No vehicles being parked in the campsite or driven on the park"
RESPONSE: Interferes with supply vehicles and the function of the Embassy.
6. "the campsite fore being contained within a metal drum"
RESPONSE: The campfire is a ceremonial fire and the spirit of the fire
cannot be imprisoned in a metal drum.
7. "A porta-Loo being provided and maintained for the use of the
occupants of the campsite"
RESPONSE: Not applicable as the Sydney University has provided more
hygienic and cleaner facilities for us to use.
8 "That no public address system or amplification equipment shall be
used."
RESPONSE: The Aboriginal Tent Embassy uses these facilities to get our
message across and to welcome people to the site.
9 " No alcohol or drugs being consumed"
RESPONSE: This is Embassy Policy.
10 " offensive behavior of persons not being tolerated by the campsite
personnel"
RESPONSE: This is Embassy Policy.
11 " That the council and Minister for conservation shall be
indemnified against any claims for injury to persons or damage to property
arising out of such approval and such indemnity shall be expressed in the
form of public risk insurance policy in the minimum amount of $10,000,000
for any individual claim"
RESPONSE: This is legal jargon and has nothing whatsoever to do with
Aboriginal Sovereignty.
Isabell Coe said "The document from South Sydney Council reminds me of the
past genocidal policies of the Aboriginal Welfare & Protection Board". And
we invite all press to the meeting with South Sydney Council tomorrow
morning Wednesday at 10 am.
--
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