Converge on Canberra
February 1-3 2009Stop the NT Intervention
Feb 3 : 12pm Rally for opening of Parliament
Contact: Alice Springs - Barbara Shaw 0401-291-166 . Marlene Hodder 08-8952-5032
Darwin - Donna Jackson 0427-847-186
Canberra - Steve 0432-634-282 . Ellie Gilbert 0421-795-639
Past events ...
Saturday 21st June : National Day of Action to mark the Anniversary of the Intervetnion
Saturday 17th November : National Day of Action for indigenous rights
In solidarity with other cities around the country, we'll be rallying in Darwin.The federal government is pushing ahead with the NT intervention despite ongoing concerns. The opposition is 'in principle' supporting the intervention...
At this crucial time, support indigenous rights by attending the national day of action, join supporters all over Australia this weekend - in Alice Springs, Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane... to let the politicians know that all Australians want indigenous rights upheld.
10AM : Meet outside the Saville Hotel - corner of The Esplanade & Peel St
10:45 : Walk together to Raintree Park for music; speakers; information; BYO picnic
contact us for more details ...
Thursday 1st November : Public meeting
The National Aboriginal Alliance held a public meeting at the Charles Darwin University to discuss the impacts and implications of the Federal Intervention in NT communities. Speakers including Ilana Eldridge from larrakia Nation, Olga Havnen from the National Aboriginal Alliance and Michael O'Donnell from the CDU Faculty of Law described many of the issues surrounding the intervention. A number of Traditional Owners and other representatives from communities around the NT also spoke about their specific experiences.Sunday 21st October : 'Hands of Support' at Mindil Beach Markets
Our 'Walk for strong communities' was a great event - only problem was, with the markets cancelled due to rain, there were few people to witness the climax. So on Sunday 21st October we gathered again at Mindil Beach for the last Sunday markets of the year, lining up along the beach at sunset, holding hands in solidarity with NT communities impacted by the intervention. Over a hundred people participated in the spectacle, and we distributed hundreds of information sheets to market-goers.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our
Walk for Strong Communities.
Cancelled markets, rain no bar to support for indigenous rights
On 27th September, over 200 people walked from central Darwin to Mindil Beach through the first rains of the wet season.The Walk for Strong Communities was organised by the Intervention Reform Coalition to give Darwin residents an opportunity to express support for the rights of indigenous Territorians.
"The Federal Government Intervention into indigenous communities is heavy-handed and inappropriate," IRC spokesperson Rob Wesley Smith said.
"It cannot be denied that decades of neglect and centuries of occupation have created dysfunction and deep-rooted problems in indigenous communities. However, the IRC believes that a community development approach, based on decades of reports and recommendations should be the way forward.
"It was really encouraging to see so many people prepared to brave the rain and despite the cancellation of the markets to express their support for indigenous self-determination."
Read about the hugely successful rally held in Raintree Park in September :
see our invitation, and the newspaper report.