From Soweto to Perth

By Tamara Desiatov

PERTH -- A Cultural Dissent program for youth, “From Soweto to Perth”, was held here on June 18 to draw the international links in struggles by young people for freedom and justice.

Eighteen years ago, hundreds of young South Africans were killed, injured and arrested during a protest against the racist bantustan education system. June 16 is now South Africa's Youth Day, remembering those killed and saluting young people's heroic resistance to the apartheid regime.

In Western Australia, young Aborigines are almost 50 times more likely to be locked up than non-indigenous youth. Many young Aboriginal people have died in custody. Youth in general don't have a voice, as recent indiscriminate attacks on our rights via Operation Sweep well illustrate.

At the Gasworks, a community arts centre, about 40 people were entertained by Ron Michaels playing the didgeridoo, street theatre, poetry by Tenba, Gillian, Natascha and Mark Blair, and music by Rodney and Rjurik. The night finished with a young Chilean band, Semilla. It was a youthful, internationalist and multicultural night.

Cultural Dissent is open to anyone, professional and non-professional, wanting to get involved. So if you are bursting with energy and creativity and want to channel it, call Tamara on 227 7367.

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