[Green-Activist] SUNDAY - Rally at the Block - Sydney

[Anne Goddard]

Please forward to throughout your networks.

Sunday 18th November - National weekend of action for Aboriginal Rights
No to the NT Invasion - Make our vote count!

10am@ the Block in Redfern

Speakers include:
Barbara Shaw, Tangentyere Council, town camp resident Alice Springs (NT)
Valerie Martin, Yuendumu Community Council (NT), Women's Centre worker
Shane Phillips, Redfern community activist

Endorsements include: Women for Wik, Indigenous Social Justice
Association, Maritime Union of Australia, CFMEU (FFPD)

WEAR RED AND BRING YOUR BANNERS, YOUR FLAGS, PLACARDS?AND MOST OF ALL,
YOUR MOB!!

On Saturday 24th a new Federal Government will be decided. This
meeting and rally, one week out from the election, is our chance to
ensure Aboriginal voices are heard loud and clear and the injustices
of the Government's invasion of Aboriginal communities in the NT are
known about.

Of all the criticisms of the 11 year Howard Government, their legacy
in Indigenous Affairs will surely be remembered as a low point in the
history of this country.

They were elected in 1996 on a wave of racism sparked by the former
Liberal candidate Pauline Hanson and have since been unrelenting in
their attacks on Indigenous rights and politics. We can see this in
their approval of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge, amendments to native
title after Wik, the Reconciliation convention, the mounting of legal
action defending past Government's removal of children, the
white-washing of Australia's history, abolition of ATSIC, axing of the
CDEP and now with the measures in the NT to name only a few.

In the NT the Government's so-called emergency intervention followed
the Anderson & Wild report on the Protection of Aboriginal Children
from Sexual Abuse in the NT. The Federal Government initiated an
'emergency response' and have since passed several laws giving them
wide ranging powers over Aboriginal people's lives, land, resources,
stores and enterprises. These include new powers to manage welfare
benefits of all Aboriginal people in the NT, changes to land rights
(eg axing of permit system to communities), assumption of 5 year lease
over Aboriginal land and greater controls by the Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs (eg Minister can determine who can live in the
community) and changes to bail and criminal law.

The Anderson & Wild report noted serious issues and the need for an
urgent community led response. No-where did it recommend taking
Aboriginal land, abolishing the CDEP or control of the lives of
Aboriginal people as if they're children. This intervention has been
criticised as compromising human rights, democracy, freedom,
self-determination and Indigenous rights. Others have said if these
powers can be exercised over Aboriginal communities in the NT it can
happen in NSW as well.

This event will help build on the groundswell of opposition which has
come in defence of land and human rights since the 'intervention' was
announced. The rally was called from an inspiring community meeting of
150 people in Redfern Community Centre, 'getting our voice back: a new
era in Aboriginal affairs".

Come along to this family friendly gathering where we will walk along
Cleveland St to Victoria Park and join up with other events are being
held in the Park. Meet 10am, Sunday 18th November, 2007.


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