BY KIM BULLIMORE
SYDNEY — On the July 14, Isobel Coe, an elder from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, established a new embassy in Victoria Park, opposite the University of Sydney.
The embassy was established to highlight how Aboriginal people are regarded as "aliens" in their own land. During the Olympic Games here in September, it will be used to inform visitors and the media of the oppression of indigenous people in Australia.
News of the embassy's establishment spread quickly amongst supporters of Aboriginal rights. The embassy grew from two tents to more than 20 in less than a week and a large number of supporters have been visiting the site. Many have donated wood for the sacred fire, which was ignited from the embers of the sacred fire in Canberra.
On July 25, South Sydney City Council gave Coe and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy a letter stating that they were unlawfully occupying the park and demanding that they agree to terms set by the council if they wished to remain. This was a turnaround on the public welcome the council offered Coe when she arrived for the council's Mascon Festival.
The council's demands include that:
the embassy be limited to an area of 100 square metres and the number of tents be limited to one;
the number of "campers" be limited to four each night;
the sacred fire be confined in a large metal drum;
embassy business be conducted only in daylight hours;
no public address or amplification systems be used;
no alcohol or drugs to be consumed in the park; and
the embassy take out a public risk insurance policy for $10 million.
In response, Coe pointed out that it was Tent Embassy policy that the site be free of alcohol, drugs and offensive behaviour. She said that the Tent Embassy has always operated on a seven-day, 24-hour basis, adding that to limit the number of people who can stay at the camp could jeopardise the safety of the campers and supporters. Coe added that she would not imprison a fire that stood for peace and justice.
"The document from South Sydney Council reminds me of past genocidal polices of the Aboriginal Welfare and Protection Board", Coe said.
A number of Sydney racist radio "shock jocks" have gone on the offensive, labelling the Tent Embassy "a disgrace" and encouraging listeners to ring the council to complain. In response, the Indigenous Students Network (ISN), which unanimously agreed to endorse the Victoria Park embassy, has launched an email and phone campaign in support of the embassy.
According to ISN member Laura-Lee Stewart, "Many people support what Auntie Isobel is doing and want to help. Launching this campaign will give them a chance for their voices to be heard by the South Sydney Council." The ISN held a very successful film night at the embassy which attracted more than 60 people, and will soon announce a number of other solidarity actions.
Please register your support for the Victoria Park Aboriginal Tent Embassy by phoning the South Sydney City Council on 9288 5000 or by email to <sscc@sscc.nsw.gov.au>.
The Tent Embassy welcomes donations of funds or useful items such as seating, tents, kitchen utensils, etc. Visitors are welcome.