TENT EMBASSY

Well we have seen it all before, or have we?

The Tent Embassy in Canberra is 40 years old this year but has lost none of its meaning to Indigenous people all over Australia.

 A concern for many Indigenous people who saw the radical days of the late 60's and early 70's , was that the passion for Indigenous people to fight for our rights on the streets, has passed! That the comforts and material gain in the last 40 years have 'softened' the Aboriginal cause. However, the events of Tent Embassy 2012 have seen the passion re-ignited.

However, the circumstances of the events of the past week started in a mild manner, with an estimate 2000 people gathering to commemorate the incredible historic change that the original Tent Embassy founders initiated some 40 years ago.

Families from all over Australia gathered to remember the people who instigated the events of 1972, making speeches, giving thanks for the profound change it made in Indigenous affairs and bringing the voiceless plight of Indigenous people to the eyes of other Australians. Music was played, songs sung, tributes of respect to past and present Elders and leaders read out while the lament for the future of our Indigenous kids spoke volumes to the crowd dressed in red, black and yellow colours of the flag.

That was how the day was supposed to end. Until the PM and Tony Abbott arrived next door.

So who organises the security of the Prime Minister? Who should be questioned, as they were silly enough on the Australia Day ceremonial circle of events, to attend a function that is next door to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy!

How many dollars are invested into security each year for Australian politicians but they were somehow non-existent to form a simple pathway for the PM down a flight of stairs? Sorry, steps! And on the way down, knock only one Aboriginal protestor, Elder Michael Anderson, who was the sole Aboriginal person on the steps of the Restaurant where the protest was made? All the remaining protestors were loudly yelling and banging on the windows of the restaurant. All the protestors wanted was to be heard by the PM and Abbott who made stupid remarks once again earlier in the day.

There will be many sides to the events of 26th January 2012, however, it takes a day or two for the Australian media to once again have the 'guts' to head back to the Tent Embassy and interview people & hopefully get the truth. Those who remain gathered there for the protests will maintain the headlines for a little while as Australian sort the truth out from the panicked police and security.

All arguments about this event aside, the once thing remains evident and that is the passion for Aboriginal peoples' protests in Australia has been ignited once again.