121005 – Alice Springs Rally to Stop Black Deaths in Custody – 5 October 2012

Contents:
* Alice Springs Rally to Stop Black Deaths in Custody:
5 Oct 2012
* Let’s Talk’s Tiga Bayles interviews
Jaqui Phillips (ANTaR) and Craig Longman (NPAN)
* Gerry Georgatos:
Climate of Death: justice denied means more will die
* 98.9 FM:
30th Anniversary Commonwealth Games Protest [5-7 Oct 2012]
* The Telegraph:
Fire crews called to tent embassy blaze in South Brisbane
* Background to the Aboriginal tent embassies
* Other articles

* ALICE SPRINGS RALLY TO STOP BLACK DEATHS IN CUSTODY
– 5 OCT 2012

– Upcoming event

Event: Fri 5 October 2012: Alice Springs, NT
Protest: Stop Black Deaths in Custody
Justice for Kwementyaye Briscoe
No to the CLP’s prison camps
“On Friday, the Country Liberal’s new
Minister for Central Australia Robin Lambley
will convene a forum with “key stakeholders”
to discuss “all aspects of alcohol policy”.
The meeting is being held in response to
recommendations by the NT Coroner
Greg Cavanagh, following the death of
Kwementyaye Briscoe in the Alice Springs
watch house on January 5 this year.
Ms Lambley says, “the Coroner’s report
into the death of Kwementyaye Briscoe will
form the basis for discussions”.
None of the Briscoe family were
invited to the meeting.”
“Note Change of Venue:
– meeting has moved, so rally will now
start outside Andy McNeil room”
Event details: http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/deaths-in-custody/

– Statement

Rollback the Intervention: Deaths in Custody
In a statement below written on Monday October 1,
family spokesperson Patricia Morton Thomas responds to
Ms Lambley’s meeting, the Coroners recommendations and
the unresolved issue of justice for her nephew:
[scroll down page] http://rollbacktheintervention.wordpress.com/deaths-in-custody/
1 Oct 12: ” … To the many Aboriginal organisations and
Aboriginal politicians that have my nephews death on their
meeting agendas. I understand you are using his name to
address alcohol issues in this town. This town has problems
with alcohol that of course need to be addressed.
But when will you address the issue of police brutality and
indifference to us as human beings? Im asking you to keep
this as the focus. Did you see the coroners findings that
the police were responsible?
Will you stand with my family and the other families whose
members have suffered at the hands of the police in calling
for justice? How many more deaths will it take for the
power of your voice to join with ours?”

– Related News

newsTracker: Briscoe family angry over use of name
http://tracker.org.au/2012/10/briscoe-family-angry-over-use-of-name/
4 Oct 12: “In a media release last month the NT government
said the death of Mr Briscoe showed the previous
administration’s policies to stop problem drunks getting
alcohol had not worked. “I am insulted by the use of my
nephew’s name and his memory to push the CLP government’s
… propaganda,” Mr Briscoe’s aunt Patricia Morton-Thomas
said. “I would like to know what the deputy chief minister
is doing to change the culture of racism ingrained in the
Northern Territory police force,” she said in a statement.”

* LET’S TALK’S TIGA BAYLES INTERVIEWS
JAQUI PHILLIPS (ANTaR) AND CRAIG LONGMAN (NPAN)

– Audio Interviews

Indigenous radio station 98.9FM Brisbane:
Let’s Talk: Jaqui Phillips & Craig Longman
http://www.989fm.com.au/category/podcasts/
27 Sep 12: “* Jaqui Phillips
– Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR)
National Director
* Craig Longman
– National Police Accountability Network (NAPN) member”
Listen to this interview on-line:
http://www.989fm.com.au/podcasts/lets-talk/jaqui-phillips-craig-longman/

See:

WGAR News: “Coronial report highlights systemic flaws”
ANTaR & National Police Accountability Network (21 Sep 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/21/wgar-news-coronial-report-highlights-systemic-flaws

WGAR News: Let’s Talk’s Tiga Bayles interviews
Gerry Georgatos on Deaths in Custudy (27 Sep 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/26/wgar-news-lets-talks-tiga-bayles-interviews-gerry-georgatos-on-deaths-in-custudy

WGAR News: STICS’s response to Coroner’s report about the
Death in Custody of Kwementyaye Briscoe (1 Oct 12)
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/30/wgar-news-sticss-response-to-coroner%E2%80%99s-report-about-the-death-in-custody-of-kwementyaye-b

* GERRY GEORGATOS:
CLIMATE OF DEATH: JUSTICE DENIED MEANS MORE WILL DIE

– Analysis / Opinion

National Indigenous Times:
Climate of Death: justice denied means more will die
Indymedia Australia: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/09/29/climate-of-death-justice-denied-means-more-will-die
NIT: http://www.nit.com.au/opinion/1988-climate-of-death-justice-denied-means-more-will-die.html
NIT: http://www.nit.com.au/news/1989-climate-of-death-justice-denied-means-more-will-die.html
4 Oct 12: “”We have to get rid of racist cops. I don’t want
to dwell on the past but I have grown up bitter,” said
Nyungar Elder Ben Taylor. Mr Taylor is on the mark when he
says, “They have been killing our people for two hundred
years.” … There have been more than 300 Aboriginal deaths
in custody since 1991 – the year of the 339 recommendations
from the 1987-1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths
in Custody.” By Gerry Georgatos,
National Indigenous Times journalist,
PhD Law researcher in Australian Custodial Systems
& Australian Deaths in Custody

– Related News

National Indigenous Times:
100 remember John Pat but still no end to the deaths in custody
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1961-100-remember-john-pat-but-still-no-end-to-the-deaths-in-custody.html
4 Oct 12: “By National Indigenous Times West Australian
reporter Gerry Georgatos. Every September 28 the Deaths in
Custody Watch Committee WA (DICWA) coordinate the memorial
remembrance of the murder by police of 16 year old John Pat
and so it was again this year, the 29th anniversary of his
death. There is a permanent memorial to John Pat inside the
grounds of the former… ”

* 98.9 FM: 30TH ANNIVERSARY COMMONWEALTH GAMES PROTEST
[5-7 OCT 2012]

– News

98.9 FM: 30th Anniversery Commonwealth Games Protest
http://www.989fm.com.au/news/30th-anniversery-commonwealth-games-protest/
4 Oct 12: “The year was 1982, Queensland was the last State
to have an ‘Aborigines Act’ as law, nationally the Land
Rights movement was a powerful grassroots political force
and from 30th September to 9th October Brisbane was hosting
the Commonwealth Games. Aboriginal people and their
supporters from all over Australia joined the militant
Brisbane Blacks to show Australia and the World that
Aboriginal sovereignty over the land had never been ceded,
to demand land rights and the repeal of the Aborigines Act.
…
From 5-7th October the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign
Embassy will host a series of events to honour this
important historical event.”

– Related Event

Event: 5, 6 & 7 October 2012: Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, Qld
30th Anniversary of the
1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games protests
Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy
“5th Oct: Opening corroboree, a feast and the
premiere screening of a documentary shot at
the 82 protests.
6th Oct: Towards a Sovereign Republic concert,
a re-enactment of one of the many marches
into the city, talks and workshops featuring
participants of the 82 protests and those
currently involved in the sovereign movement.
7th Oct: Closing corroboree.”
Event details: http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/indigenous-voices/2012/09/19/new-publication-brisbane-blacks-monthly/
Event details: http://www.989fm.com.au/events/30th-anniversary-of-the-brisbane-commonwealth-games-protest/
Event details: http://www.989fm.com.au/news/30th-anniversery-commonwealth-games-protest/
Event details: http://www.facebook.com/events/333885113372680/

* THE TELEGRAPH:
FIRE CREWS CALLED TO TENT EMBASSY BLAZE IN SOUTH BRISBANE

– News

The Telegraph:
Fire crews called to tent embassy blaze in South Brisbane
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/fire-crews-called-to-tent-embassy-blaze-in-south-brisbane/story-fndo2iwh-1226486284011
2 Oct 12: “BRISBANE’S Aboriginal tent embassy was gutted by
fire this morning with most of the embassy destroyed in the
blaze. At about 7.15am Tuesday, firefighters received calls
reporting a series of tents were on fire in Musgrave Park,
West End. Two crews arrived on the scene to find several
tents alight but were able to put out the blaze easily. …
A Queensland Fire and Rescue spokesman said the fire did
not look suspicious.”

– Related News

National Indigenous Times:
Brisbane Tent Embassy fire won’t stop anniversary party
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1960-brisbane-tent-embassy-fire-wont-stop-anniversary-party.html
4 Oct 12: “BY National Indigenous Times Editor Stephen
Hagan. Organisers of the 30th anniversary celebrations of
the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games said a suspicious fire
that destroyed the Aboriginal Tent Embassy at Brisbane’s
Musgrave Park in the early hours of Tuesday morning have
dampened their spirits but won’t stop the planned
activities for the… ”

Brisbane Times: Tent embassy fire treated as suspicious
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/tent-embassy-fire-treated-as-suspicious-20121002-26w3a.html
2 Oct 12: “This morning, officers cordoned off a corner of
Musgrave Park, in Brisbane’s inner south, where up to five
tents were almost completely burnt out. Forensic
investigators spent the morning sifting through the charred
remains of the 20 metres by 20 metres site. … A local
Aboriginal leader who inspected the damage said he was
trying to contact the residents. “Everyone’s pretty shaken
up by this. This embassy site is a very important place to
us,” Sam Watson told reporters at the scene. He said
Musgrave Park has traditionally been a sacred gathering
place for his people.”

– Related Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:

http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
3 Oct 12: “Aboriginal rights campaigners in Qld say that
the destruction of Brisbane’s Musgrave Park Tent embassy
was upsetting but it will not deter them in their struggle
and that its business as usual.”

– Related Event

Event: 5, 6 & 7 October 2012: Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, Qld
30th Anniversary of the
1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games protests
Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy
“5th Oct: Opening corroboree, a feast and the
premiere screening of a documentary shot at
the 82 protests.
6th Oct: Towards a Sovereign Republic concert,
a re-enactment of one of the many marches
into the city, talks and workshops featuring
participants of the 82 protests and those
currently involved in the sovereign movement.
7th Oct: Closing corroboree.”
Event details: http://blogs.slq.qld.gov.au/indigenous-voices/2012/09/19/new-publication-brisbane-blacks-monthly/
Event details: http://www.989fm.com.au/events/30th-anniversary-of-the-brisbane-commonwealth-games-protest/
Event details: http://www.989fm.com.au/news/30th-anniversery-commonwealth-games-protest/
Event details: http://www.facebook.com/events/333885113372680/

* BACKGROUND TO THE ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSIES:

Last updated: 27 September 2012

http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/22/background-to-the-aboriginal-sovereignty-movement-and-the-aboriginal-tent-embassies

* OTHER ARTICLES:

– Audio

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association:

http://caama.com.au/radio#tabs-6
4 Oct 12: “The founding CEO of Australias’s peak Aboriginal
and Islander doctors representative body says
institutionalised racism still persists in schools,
hospitals and the medical profession, and it is part of
their responsibility to work hard and overcome it.”

– News

National Indigenous Times:
Give the grass roots people a say, demands Rex Bellotti Snr
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1971-give-the-grass-roots-people-a-say-demands-rex-bellotti-snr.html
4 Oct 12: “BY National Indigenous Times West Australian
reporter Gerry Georgatos. The seventh annual National
Indigenous Legal Conference has been criticised by
Aboriginal activists with claims grass roots Indigenous
people were being disenfranchised from the debate about
improving the lives of Indigenous Australians. Nyoongar Rex
Bellotti said the panel of the Legal Conference was made
up… ”

National Indigenous Times: NACCHO joins chorus of anger
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1958-naccho-joins-chorus-of-anger.html
4 Oct 12: “The National Aboriginal Community Controlled
Health Organisation (NACCHO) has joined other Aboriginal
leaders in condemning the latest round of cuts to primary
and community healthcare services by the Queensland
government. NACCHO Chair, Mr Justin Mohamed said the
cost-saving measures were likely to bite deeply into the
service delivery capability of crucial non-government
agencies such as drug and… ”

National Indigenous Times:
Queensland “shirking responsibility” to primary health care,
says Selwyn Button
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1957-queensland-shirking-responsibility-to-primary-health-care-says-selwyn-button.html
4 Oct 12: “Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health
Council (QAIHC) Chief Executive Officer, Selwyn Button has
strongly attacked the Queensland Government’s cuts to
funding grants for non-government health providers. Mr
Button said the decision to cut the funding grants was a
clear demonstration the Queensland Government was trying to
shirk its responsibility to primary health care provision”

National Indigenous Times:
We will fight Wiluna uranium mine plan because it’s not safe:
Kado Muir
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1964-we-will-fight-wiluna-uranium-mine-plan-because-its-not-safe-kado-muir.html
4 Oct 12: “BY National Indigenous Times West Australian
reporter Gerry Georgatos. Toro Energy’s Wiluna uranium
project’s final environmental approval looks near certain
from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the
uranium mine will become the front runner for more uranium
mining throughout Western Australia and predominately on
Aboriginal lands where communities continue to thrive –
for… ”

National Indigenous Times:
Here’s a way to give the communities control and
some self-empowerment
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1950-heres-a-way-to-give-the-communities-control-and-some-self-empowerment.html
4 Oct 12: “By National Indigenous Times reporter Geoff
Bagnall. There are many complaints Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities around the country make about
government services and program delivery to either
refurbish homes or build new ones. Two of the most common
complaints are the fly-in, fly-out workers who “parachute”
into communities, build things, often shoddily… ”

National Indigenous Times: Last of the River People
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1970-last-of-the-river-people.html
4 Oct 12: “BY National Indigenous Times West Australian
reporter Gerry Georgatos. In 2003 the West Australian State
Government closed down the Swan Valley Nyungah community in
the north eastern Perth suburb of Lockridge because of
allegations of sexual abuse against only one of its Elders.”

National Indigenous Times:
Government has let us down angry Malezer tells Congress
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1963-government-has-let-us-down-angry-malezer-tells-congress.html
4 Oct 12: “Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s
First Peoples, Les Malezer has lambasted the Federal
Government for failing to consult meaningfully on policy,
saying he would now push for a declaration of
self-determination. Les Malezer also attacked the
government for its approach on constitutional recognition.
He argued while the Congress had… ”

Koori Mail: Queensland reviews alcohol plans
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
4 Oct 12: “INDIGENOUS mayors have welcomed a Queensland
Government move to review alcohol bans in remote
communities. The bans are currently in place in 19
Indigenous communities, but Queensland Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Affairs Minister Glenn Elmes says
they will be reviewed. Yarrabah Mayor Errol Neal and other
community leaders have jumped at the chance for input into
the plans, saying Indigenous communities should not be
treated any differently to the rest of the populace.
However Aurukun Mayor Dereck Walpo said he opposed lifting
the ban and wanted complete prohibition of alcohol in his
Cape York community.”

National Indigenous Times:
Cherbourg Mayor: “lift racist alcohol management plan”
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1962-cherbourg-mayor-lift-racist-alcohol-management-plan.html
4 Oct 12: “Alcohol management plans (AMP) in Aboriginal
communities are a racist policy and should be removed, the
Cherbourg Mayor, Ken Bone has said. The plans were
introduced in 2002 and restrict or ban alcohol in
Indigenous communities. The Queensland Minister for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Glen Elmes
said he intended to meet with community leaders in the
next few… ”

National Indigenous Times:
SERCO fined $600,000 for prison failures
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1956-serco-fined-600000-for-prison-failures.html
4 Oct 12: “By National Indigenous Times West Australian
reporter Gerry Georgatos. SERCO, the multinational company
engaged by the West Australian Government to manage various
services for the Department of Corrective Services, has
been hit with a fine of nearly $600,000 and has been told
to get its act together after it was revealed it had failed
to meet its commitments.”

National Indigenous Times:
Jackie Trad: No evidence to back up rushed LNP laws
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1953-jackie-trad-no-evidence-to-back-up-rushed-lnp-laws.html
4 Oct 12: “BY National Indigenous Times Editor Stephen
Hagan. The severity of the Newman Government’s
criminalisation laws for traditional hunting remained a
major concern, the State Opposition Environment
spokesperson, Jacki Trad has said. Ms Trad, speaking
exclusively with the National Indigenous Times, said the
penalties Traditional Owners faced under the proposed laws
were serious.”

National Indigenous Times:
NSW Land Council confirms uranium mining discussions
http://www.nit.com.au/news/1965-nsw-land-council-confirms-uranium-mining-discussions.html
4 Oct 12: “Australian and overseas companies including the
New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council are queuing up to
explore for uranium in New South Wales and will likely
begin doing so next year, the State’s Energy Minister Chris
Hartcher has said. A spokesman for the New South Wales
Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) confirmed it had held
talks with Mr Hartcher regarding uranium mining. But the
spokesman said… ”

Koori Mail: Referendum fear
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
3 Oct 12: “A CO-CHAIR of the National Congress of
Australia’s First Peoples has expressed growing cynicism
that a referendum will ever be held to recognise Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian
Constitution. Les Malezer said the Federal Government
hadn’t responded properly to its own expert panel on the
subject but was still asking the Congress and others to
blindly back legislation that it had yet to spell out and
was unlikely to reflect the panel’s recommendations.”

Koori Mail: Congress leaders look to the future
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php?page=Current+Edition
3 Oct 12: “THE National Congress of Australia’s First
Peoples has a strong future but must grow its membership
base, firm up future funding arrangements, and garner more
broad community support. That was the assessment of the
two-year-old representative body by its leaders last week.
About 80 delegates drawn from three Congress ‘chambers’
joined the organisation’s board and its ethics council in
Alice Springs last week for a second annual national policy
meeting, dubbed ‘NC12’.”