Actions against the NT intervention

More than 200 people attended the preview screening of This is Our Country Too on August 13 at the NSW Teacher's Federation Auditorium. The event was organised by the Stop The Intervention Coalition, Sydney.

This is Our Country Too was produced by independent film company Ricenpeas and includes extensive interviews with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory affected by the federal government intervention. The film also interviews Aboriginal activists in capital cities mobilising against the policy, which imposes complete alcohol bans in proscribed areas and "quarantines" 50% of welfare recipients' payments to be spent only on food, clothing and rent.

The film includes footage from PM Kevin Rudd's February 12 apology to the stolen generations, and the protests and Aboriginal rights conferences preceding it.

Seventy people also attended a speakout and community day at the Redfern Community Centre on August 16 to express their opposition to the government's racist intervention, as well as raise concerns about housing issues in Redfern. The day of action, which included speakers, music and a barbeque, was organised by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition, Sydney.

Local Aboriginal activists used the event to respond critically to rumours that Aboriginal affairs minister Jenny Macklin has used mining royalties intended for local Aboriginal communities to help fund the NT intervention. A national day of action for the campaign against the intervention has been called for September 27.

From GLW issue 763