Racist attack on use of public space

BY KATHY NEWNAM

ADELAIDE — An angry protest against moves by City Council to make the city and North Adelaide a "dry" zone was held at the council meeting on September 18.

Chairperson of the Whitmore Square Residents Association, Joyce Vandersman, said that the council's plan for a three-month "consultation process" on the dry zone was not sufficient.

The plan is clearly racist: the intention of the council is to criminalise the use of public space by Aboriginal people.

According to media reports, Mayor Alfred Huang left the meeting to take refuge in his office. He claimed that the public does not "fully understand" what the council is trying to achieve.

This move of the council follows attacks by councillors and the Adelaide Advertiser on Aboriginal people who use Victoria Square as a gathering place. On September 16, the square's 90-year-old toilet block and shelter was demolished, despite protests that the building had historical and architectural significance.

Activist Rodney Johnstone declared that he will appeal to the United Nations human rights commission against the council.

From GLW issue 422