Paul Benedek, Sydney
More than 300 Aboriginal protesters and supporters marched from the Redfern Block to NSW state parliament on March 24, chanting "Too many police, not enough justice".
The rally was called to protest police mistreatment of Aboriginal youth, and a list of seventeen demands on the state government was presented to Labor MP Henry Tsang.
The Redfern Block community is demanding a Royal Commission into the death of the young Kamilaroi Murri at Waterloo on February 14 and the riot at Redfern the following day.
Aboriginal leaders Lyall and Jenny Munro addressed the demonstration, along with Kevin Smith on behalf of the Redfern Block community, and Marcia Ella-Duncan, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission regional chairperson. Internationally-renowned journalist John Pilger was also invited as a solidarity speaker.
Smith noted that more than 200 years ago Indigenous people were being poisoned and killed, pointing out that while the methods may have changed, the same thing is still happening today.
Ella-Duncan described how Aboriginal people face a life expectancy 20 years lower than other Australians, and are 16 times more likely to be imprisoned.
Pilger was well received by the crowd, arguing that "we shouldn't have to be here", because if everyone was aware of the conditions Indigenous people live in, society would have to change.
Solidarity actions were held in Brisbane and Darwin, and Redfern community activists are discussing plans for further action including a march on federal parliament.
On March 26, 50 people attended a Socialist Alliance film screening and discussion of the controversial, award-winning documentary about the Redfern police, Cop it Sweet.
Socialist Alliance Sydney mayoral candidate Susan Price addressed the event, pledging Socialist Alliance's support for the Aboriginal community. She called for an end to the state government's racism and its intention to bulldoze the Block and drive Aboriginal people out of Redfern.
[For more information visit <http://www.isis.aust.com/theblock>.]
From Green Left Weekly, March 31, 2004.
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