You might have heard about the convoy to canberra, taking supplies and
support to the aboriginal tent embassy at old parliament house, canberra.
(details about the tent embassy at end of email)
The Convoy is leaving on 31 August (Friday) and coming back to melbourne on
sunday or monday - ALL WELCOME!!!!!. If you work on fridays or mondays and
want to come, there is a contingent of work people who are leaving/arriving
so they can maintain their work committments. Petrol subsidised, camp at
the embassy, lifts still available.
If you cant physically come on the convoy, you can still help out! There is
a list of things that the convoy is in desparate need of, following police
raids on the embassy. These things include:
- blankets
-pots/pans
- blank tapes (audio)
- flags/paint/spray cans
- optus charge cards to maintain contact with the rest of australia
- extension cords
- a floodlight
***** if you can help with any of these things, your help would definitely
be appreciated. You can DROP OFF stuff to the Darebin Community Legal
Centre (High St, Westgarth - opp. the Westgarth cinema) by THURSDAY 30
AUGUST*******
The Aboriginal tent embassy has been a symbol of resistance, an
organising
space and an education centre since 1972, highlighting the indigenous
struggle for land rights and justice in Australia. The site is opposite the
main entrance of Old Parliament House, Canberra. The first protests at that
site took place in 1927 during the opening of the Old Parliament House, when
two senior Aboriginal men made personal protests against its construction on
lands to which they laid claim.
During its existence, the Embassy has come under Police attack
several
times (eg. pre-bicentennary), and was re-established on the 20th anniversary
of the original embassy - 28 Jan, 1992. There has been a continuity of
presence there every since.
In recent weeks, fire engines have doused the sacred fires and
cooking
fires with chemical sprays, and the campsite has been raided by federal
police - part of an on-going government campaign to remove the 'eye-sore' of
the nation's capital. But the tent-embassy is fighting on, a women's site
has just been established over the other side of the lawns and the people
there are staying strong in the face of intimidation and interference.
The indigenous activists camped there need our support in the face of
increasing Govt moves to once again sweep indigenous issues under the
carpet, especially in the lead-up the CHOGM with dozens of commonwealth
leaders jetting into Australia....
contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for more info
--
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