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SOCOG Follies part
two Ray Jackson Much has happened since last I wrote of SOCOG and yet very little has changed concerning Indigenous involvement in accessing the Games site at Homebush. We wanted to hold peaceful gatherings of Indigenous Peoples at Bicentennial Park to allow us to relate the true black history of this country to all who wished to hear it. Roland Tisdale, SOCOG Security Supremo, has remained true
to his previous statement that not one black toe will cross the Homebush Line.
He refused to meet with us again and we were therefore forced to seek assistance
elsewhere. Meetings were held with Olympic Minister Michael Knight and others
from his office in an attempt to overrule Tisdale. Unfortunately nothing came of
these discussions, and in my opinion, they were merely held as a stalling
tactic. The meetings were then broadened out to include meetings with several of
the Police Commands and Shire Councils in the Sydney Region. Superintendent David Darcy of the Sydney Command showed
much sympathy to our cause. He stated he would personally intervene on our
behalf with Tisdale and strongly argue to him that 1000 Indigenous
Representatives should be allowed to camp in Bicentennial Park. I don�t know
actually if he done this or not but I would imagine, no, I know, that he would
not have done so. David was using the tried and true method of the Establishment
of using the Secret English. This is of course when the words are the direct
opposite of their meanings as outlined very ably in the book 1984 by George Orwell. From the Sydney Command we then moved to Strathfield
Council and the Police responsible for that Command area. I apologise to Henry
as I did not get his full name but Henry too was very sympathetic to our cause
and he to wanted to bend over backwards to assist us. Unfortunately the new
Mayor of Strathfield and her minders had arranged a meeting whereby we could
meet with her, the police and various SOCOG personnel. Included in this little
t�te-�-t�te was Jenny Munro of the Sydney Metropolitan Land Council. Whether by
accident or design, the meeting degenerated into hostilities and waffle. We were informed by the Lady Mayor of Strathfield and the
SOCOG personnel that we could not possibly camp, peacefully or otherwise, in
Bressington and Mason Parks that are outside of the Homebush Site for two main
reasons. The first reason involved the wildlife protection area at the end of
the parks as camping would disturb the natural ecosystem of the Japanese
migratory birds, among other things. I�m not sure whether they thought we would
eat the birds or whether we would pollute the local environment. This, from
people that are still polluting the Stolen Lands. The second reason was a much more alarming one. The Lady
Mayor informed us that at the bottom of Bressington Park was a manmade hill. The
hill contained quantities of toxic material which was unknown to Council or
anyone else. The argument put was their concern for our young female supporters
of childbearing age, who could possibly be made sterile by a toxic zap from this
toxic hill. At least this concern, and honesty, of the known toxicity of the
Homebush Site and its environs was most refreshing. Environmentalists, including
Greenpeace and others had complained long and loudly of the major toxic problem
that is the Homebush Site, only to be put down by the Government, SOCOG, and
others as being alarmists at best, mischievous at worst. To say that the meeting was a dismal failure in
conciliation, or even Reconciliation would be an understatement. The Lady Mayor,
and her minders, reinforced their Law that we would not be allowed to peacefully
camp within or without the Homebush Site. Not to be outdone, the Police
reinforced their view that under no circumstances would there be any marching
into their Command Area, even though they expressed support and sympathy to our
claims to the Parks. Their hands were tied; there was nothing they could
do. The next meeting involved Deputy Commissioner Lola Scott.
Lola apparently has the monumental task of protecting the civil liberties of
those who did not want anybody to make a peaceful protest. The
meeting had started when I got there but it was quite apparent that nothing was
being granted to us from them. The no marching rule anywhere in Sydney, was
vigorously pushed, but there did seem to be some sympathy for us to be able to
peacefully camp at Parramatta Park. The only problem here of course is that we
need the permission of Parramatta Council. This of course would take time but we
would see what we could do about it. Unlike Darcy, they did not offer to
assist. During our conversations with Lola, I inquired as to the
powers of the �Specials� who would be assisting the police in maintaining Law
and Order. Hypothetically taking the worst case scenario as being possible,
would the �Specials� be authorised to carry police batons, use mace or use
capsicum spray on unarmed and peaceful demonstrators? The reply from Lola was
that only the police are licensed and trained to use capsicum spray. The use of
mace was not qualified but it is quite possible that the �Specials� would be
issued with police batons. She went on to assure us that these civic minded
people would be trained by the police and be under the control of the police at
all times. I felt better already. It
came as a surprise for me when Lola informed me that I was considered by some,
unidentified, sources to be somewhat of an �urban terrorist.� It was stated by
some that �you (I) are fermenting violence against the Games.� Che Jackson?
Somehow the title was as ludicrous as the allegation. I informed Lola that I was
indeed a most unlikely terrorist, due mainly to age, health and current
lifestyle, and as far as the Games were concerned, I had always stressed that
our actions must emulate the wishes of our Elders and that was for peaceful
protests. Such protests were supported from Bob Carr down.
This meeting was also an abject failure in attempting to
obtain some measure of justice and real input into their need to continue to be
right. No matter what the cost or outcome. I missed the meeting with the Flemington police but the
outcome was the same. Yes, you have the right to protest, but not here, dear. No
marching, no camping, No, No No! Tisdale may be a bastard, but at least he proved to be an
honest one. Every one else behaved in a most dishonest and unctuous manner. We
attempted to be honest, open and as respectful as possible with the people we
were dealing with. That attitude was not reciprocated. Again, at every meeting
we were told in the most arrogant way�YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE RIGHT.
EVER! The Friendly Games will open and close, medals and egos
will be won and lost, the overseas visitors and media will all go home. The
SOCOG Politicians will return to Parliament House and will remain in until they
are outed by History and Truth parading their Follies for all to see. A great
swathe of workers will no longer be a part of their dream and so will be
downsized without a second thought. That includes their Aboriginal
assistants But. We will tell Our Stories, Our Histories, the
Black History of the Traditional Lands will be heard. Whether that Telling will
be done in Peace or in Shame is entirely up to the Politicians, their Police and
their soon-to-be National Guard. And of course the mutual access to their
Friendly Games. Be at Victoria Park, Camperdown, on the corner of City Road
and The Broadway, next to the Sydney University. Come to the Tent Embassy, on
Friday 15 September 2000 for the 10 am Rally. Come join in peace Aunt Isobel
Coe, Uncle Kevin Buzzacott and the other Aboriginal Elders. Come to sit with us
at the Peace Fire and listen and learn of the true History. No alcohol. No
drugs. |
BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 N:Clark;Don FN:Don Clark ORG:Indigenous Social Justice Association TITLE:President ADR;WORK:;;PO Box K555;HAYMARKET;NSW;1240 LABEL;WORK;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:PO Box K555=0D=0AHAYMARKET, NSW 1240 EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:[EMAIL PROTECTED] REV:20000911T040515Z END:VCARD
