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Perth City Council and WA Police raided the Nyoongar encampment at Matagarup (Heirisson Island) at 7am on June 18. Tents were seized, move-on notices issued and concrete barricades were erected at the car park entrance to try to deliver a terminal blow to the Matagarup Refugee Camp as the encampment is known.

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Welcome To Matagarup banner. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

As on previous raids, there was no regard for the fact that Matagarup is a recognised and registered heritage site where cultural activities - including camping - are permitted. The welcome extended by the Matagarup community was trampled on by police and council.

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Participants woken by Police during raid at Matagarup Aboriginal encampment. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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The rain was still gently falling as they began to seize tents, bedding, food and other equipment. Photo: Aexl Bainbridge.

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Nyoongar elders such as Bella Bropho maintained a calm disposition in the face of dispossession. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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"This is our Country" Nyoongar elder Herbert Bropho. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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The entire operation was guarded by dozens of police. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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They issued at least two move-on notices directing Aboriginal people to leave their own land at the threat of arrest. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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Police guard council workers during Matagarup Aboriginal encampment raid. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

What justification was there for this? Ironically, the government had only the night before in the WA constitution. That morning, they made clear what such "recognition" means!

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Truckloads of valuable equipment was taken. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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This was the site of where the women's camp had been. Food and personal possessions were taken with no regard. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

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After the bedding was seized from homeless people, the council began erecting concrete barricades at the carpark entrance to try to stop people returning to the island. They were not successful. Photo: Alex Bainbridge.

Withstanding heavy rain, a number of people stayed overnight on the island that very night. The next morning, police came back to repeat the whole operation again!

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