MEDIA RELEASE
Greens: Tent Embassy activists have right to stay at Heirisson Island
22 March 2012
Greens MLC Robin Chapple today called for calm in the face of demands to have Aboriginal activists cleared from their tent embassy at Heirisson Island.
“I call on the Premier and City of Perth to respect the right of peaceful protest, and allow the tent embassy activists to continue to gather and practice culture on Heirisson Island.
“Heirisson Island is a public park of significant cultural importance, and particularly at this time while the State Government is in negotiation about settlement of Noongar native title, it is important that the government does not silence these voices.
“The tent embassy has been a peaceful gathering, drug and alcohol free by the activists’ insistence. There is no pressing reason why the tent embassy should be cleared.
“Allegations of rock throwing is a separate matter, and should be dealt with as any other complaint to the police is handled, it doesn’t require the forceful disbanding of the Tent Embassy.”
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255
