On August 31 last year, Camp Sovereignty, in Naarm/Melbourne, was viciously attacked by a group of neo Nazis, devastating residents and supporters.
One year later, the camp was filled with light, love and music, as it hosted Rock Against Racism, on August 30, celebrating community and resilience. The event gave back to the people with food and music by the fire, while raising funds for the camp and Grandmothers Against Removals.
Brought to life by 3CR Community Radio and DIY HIFI Solar Sound Systems, Rock Against Racism’s lineup was stacked with Indigenous acts, and featured Elijah Augustine, Jody Beeton, Bart Willoughby, Dave Arden, DRMNGNOW, RACERAGE, Not My King and MUDRAT.
Augustine, a proud Nyul Nyul, Jabirrjabirr, Ngumbarl and Djugun singer/songwriter, kicked off the show, combining classic rock ‘n’ roll with his Indigenous roots. He got people on their feet dancing, while he sang about his oppression as an Indigenous man.
Singing and speaking of oppression and discrimination was a common thread throughout the event. Elder Uncle Gary Foley spoke about being 16 and brutally bashed by police — an experience that radicalised him for life. Nearing 80 years of age, he looked out at the young people in the crowd, and said he could die easy, knowing the movement is in good hands.
Beeton sang emotionally about her father’s experience growing up and raising a family as an Indigenous man.
Willoughby jokingly sang the first line of I Shot the Sheriff by Bob Marley, then in a serious tone said there have been many times in his life “as a blakfella” where he felt like he might need to — to save his own life. He sang as though he was channeling all the fallen elders and activists that had come before him.
DRMNGNOW, a Yorta Yorta and Kaieltheban artist, rapped in English and First Nations’ language. RACERAGE, the self-described “Queer Blak Radical Rap-brat” sang about sovereignty never being ceded and Australia having a blak history.
As the sun went down over Camp Sovereignty, the night got colder but the music just got louder, as five-piece political rap-metal band, Not My King, got the crowd chanting: “Nazi scum! Off our streets!”.
The final act of the night, MUDRAT, combined punk and rap to provide a mind-melting sound mixed with a dynamic stage presence.
MUDRAT called out the Australian government’s treatment of the disenfranchised in his song, “You Don’t Care About Poor People”, and called for “land back” action and a free Palestine.
I caught up with MUDRAT, and he spoke to the importance of events like Rock Against Racism and the honour in performing there.
“I feel like this is the least we can do,” he said. “Whenever a First Nations’ cause feels like we can be helpful and beneficial, I feel like it’s the bare minimum, as a settler in this land, to support it in any way possible.
“It's all the basics of human connection, it's really important to top up the emotional tank and connect with people, to remember what it's all about … particularly here at Camp Sovereignty — as a living, breathing refection of the world we hope to build.”
If you are in Naarm and able to, please consider visiting Camp Sovereignty to learn about the history of this land and make a donation to keep this sacred site alive.
“Always Was, Always Will Be. Sovereignty Was Never Ceded.”