Brisbane City Council clash with first nations camp at Victoria Park
Updated ,first published
Police and Brisbane City Council officers have responded to First Nations protesters camping in Victoria Park, opposite the planned Olympic stadium, and at least two arrests have been made so far.
The officers were met with non-violent but vocal opposition, and after a tense 30-minute standoff, reinforcements arrived.
Leading the initial opposition to the authorities’ move against the camps was old Uncle Derek Oram, who told police and municipal workers that they would be happy to move out of the camp once the fence was erected around the park on June 1.
“We were humbly told that we could gather and move behind the fence line, but are you giving us that opportunity, or is this just a publicity stunt?” An uneasy Oram shouted as the camp was surrounded.
As anger grew, First Nations protesters lit ceremonial fires, attracting the attention of the Queensland Fire Department, who watched from inside a fire truck.
But while Camp Goori, near the center of the park, was on the Embassy site, workers moved to a second camp (Barrambin Djar), located on a hill near the Victoria Park events centre, where what appeared to be a wedding party was watched from the balconies.
While the Barrambin Djar camp was occupied by the local Jagera people, the Goori Camp Embassy was comprised of other First Nations who showed support.
Local elder Gaja Kerry Charlton was at Barrambin Djar shortly after authorities removed the tents.
“I think it’s a shameful abuse of power to come in like this,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a low move because June 1 [when GIICA formally takes control of the site] big appointment and they shouldn’t be doing anything right now.
“…I hope they’re all okay and no one gets hurt, because it was some pretty frightening behavior, police bikes going up and down, fire trucks and everything.”
Returning to Goori Camp, Oram appealed to authorities to leave the camp when they arrived shortly after 10 am. He was arrested at noon and removed from the area.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said two arrests had been made.
“During the first clash today, a man and a woman were detained by police on charges of assault and obstruction,” he said.
“QPS is committed to continuing to work with the community and our partner organisations.”
Greens councilor Seal Chong Wah, whose Paddington District includes most of Victoria Park, said the state government’s legislation to override 15 laws relating to Olympic delivery did not remove important cultural heritage in the area.
“This is deeply meaningful to Aboriginal people and it’s a shame that people would do this during Reconciliation Week, not far from National Sorry Day. This is deeply offensive,” he said.
“All of you, get a hold of yourselves. Seriously, this is a shame. The Olympics are supposed to be a movement for peace. So why are we bringing nations together when you’re destroying this nation?”
“…We must respect the world’s longest-living 80,000-year-old culture, we must not humiliate or destroy it, we must embrace this rich culture.”
It was at least the second clash this week between protesters and government officials ahead of the land changing hands next Monday.
On Tuesday, the Games’ Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority, the Olympic infrastructure body tasked with building the stadium, was accused of intimidating behavior after storming a Save Victoria Park event to erect a fence.
GIICA will take possession of the land on Monday and the park will be completely closed to the public so that stadium construction can begin.
The 63,000-seat Brisbane Stadium is planned to host opening and closing ceremonies as well as track and field events in 2032.
It will be Brisbane’s new home of AFL and cricket after the Games, and will be demolished after the Gabba makes its Olympic swansong.
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