Celebrating Diversity launched
ADELAIDE — The Celebrating Diversity Coalition's first annual general meeting on July 7 was attended by 60 people. The meeting elected office bearers and a committee to oversee its functioning between general meetings.
After the meeting, former premier Don Dunstan launched CDC, in conjunction with a cultural performance night. CDC members plan to counter racism by removing racist graffiti and phoning radio talkback shows.
NAIDOC march
MELBOURNE — Kooris and their supporters marched from Fitzroy Aboriginal Legal Service in silent protest to parliament on July 11. The rally was part of the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration.
Speakers at the 1500-strong rally condemned the Howard government's "10 point plan" and called on the Australian community to support land rights. The rally concluded with a festival in the City Square.
Native title demonstration
CANBERRA — A meeting on July 10 began planning a demonstration for the United Nations' International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, August 9. The meeting was called by the ACT Trades and Labour Council at the request of the local Community and Public Sector Union and included representatives from TLC-affiliated unions, Racial Respect, Radio 2XX, student unions, Resistance, the Democratic Socialist Party, International Socialists and the New Labour Party.
It was decided that the demonstration, which will support native title and oppose racism, will begin with a rally in Civic, followed by a march to Glebe Park.
East Timorese exhibition
PERTH — On July 5, the East Timorese community opened an exhibition of East Timorese culture at the Eastern Arts Centre in Midland.
Three hundred people filled the Kalla Yeedip Gallery to see handicrafts, clothes and costumes, models of village houses and information displays. Traditional dances performed by East Timorese youth were a highlight of the evening. The exhibition runs for four weeks and entry is free.
Video on Long Walk
ADELAIDE — On July 9, 80 people attended the Sophia Women's Spiritual Centre's screening of the documentary video The Long Walk in solidarity with the Ngarrindjeri people to oppose the construction of the Hindmarsh Bridge at Kumarangk.
Ngarrindjeri elders spoke movingly of the horrors of the stolen generation, from personal experience, and rejected any "reconciliation" while there is no justice for Aboriginal people.
Rally against police guns
SYDNEY — Some 50 protesters rallied outside police headquarters on July 9 to oppose the arming of NSW police with semi-automatic 15-shot Glock pistols at a cost of $11 million. Police shootings have been highlighted by the killing of Roni Levi, armed with only a kitchen knife, on Bondi Beach. Two other people have been shot in NSW this year. The rally was addressed by speakers from the Coalition Opposed to Police Shootings.