Aborigines plan protest march during Games

Aborigines plan protest march during Games

The Age

February 10, 2006

AN INDIGENOUS rights march has been planned for central Melbourne on the same day as the opening ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The organising group, known as the Black GST, met State Government representatives yesterday to outline its plans, which include the march and a mass convergence camp at a yet-to-be-determined inner-city site. Black GST member Targan said sympathisers from around Australia and overseas had signalled their plans to converge on Melbourne for the Games period.

"The idea is to bring international attention to the plight of indigenous people," he said.

Targan said supporters from West Papua, New Zealand, East Timor and other nations had signalled their intention to join the meeting, and hoped up to 100,000 might march.

The route of the march is yet to be determined, and was not resolved at yesterday's meeting with Games Minister Justin Madden and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gavan Jennings.

Targan said Black GST was heartened by the reception they received at yesterday's meeting, and would ask the Government to help in selecting a site for the mass camp site of protesters. Collingwood's Victoria Park and the Aboriginal Advancement League in Preston are believed to be two of the sites.

Peter Ker

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