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.
eople set up tents in Musgrave Park, hundreds were arrested every day outside sporting venues across Brisbane. Soon after these massive protests the Aborigines Act was repealed and the first land rights legislation started appearing around the country.
From 5-7th October the Brisbane Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy will host a series of events to honour this important historical event.
Friday October 5:
* 12 noon: Rally at Roma St Forum for a march to Musgrave Park.
* 4:30pm: Opening ceremony, dinner to honour the veterans of our struggle followed by a screening of ‘We Fight’ (filmed during the 1982 protests) and Q&A with film maker Madeline Mcgrady.
Saturday October 6:
* 10am: Forums and Embassy Idol!!!
* 2pm-late: The Rainbow Republic Concert
Sunday October 7:
* 10am: Combined Church service
* 12 noon: Forum to discuss the future of the Sovereignty movement
For more info phone: 0408064900, 0438781121 or 0431 525 924
