A vast confluence of people met on Gadigal land to celebrate struggle and survival of First Nations people.
Several thousand listened in solidarity as speakers first recalled all the first nations from the Gadigal to the Barkindji, the Yuin to the Bundjalung, the resistance fighters of old, Pemulwuy and Windradyne. But also the modern day fighters from Mum Shirl to Gary Foley and so many more.
After 237 years, the struggle continues in the colony; indigenous children ripped from their families, horrific incarceration rates and police killings of blaks provide so much for the the thirst for justice and dignity.
The constant intimidation and threats from the forces of the state that follow indigenous people daily was on display for other members of the public with a heavy police presence from the “Public Order & Riot Squad patrols on the ground and the police helicopter over head keeping the “Kings Peace”. A delicious chant echoing down Broadway: Too many coppers. Not enough justice
Karl Marx wrote that freedom means the recognition of necessity. Speakers at the rally illustrated this with calls for treaty, land rights, and justice not state violence. They don’t want talk, they want action and they know its the people who have to take action and not depend on parliament or politicians.
The grave oppression of Australia’s First nations people reveals a major contradiction in society. In a land of plenty the ruling class of billionaires, and their flunkeys are on total life support for their wealth and power whilst the lower orders face the direct force of the state- police, welfare, health and bureaucracy. For many people this begins the questioning – A Fair Go , The Lucky Country? For whom?
These issues provide a building block for long term struggle . Whats wrong with Australia? A lot ! And what are you going to do about it .
