Saturday, 14 July, 2007

AAP

THE Federal Government has sent police into indigenous communities in the Northern Territory to access valuable uranium deposits, not to protect children from abuse, a rally was told in Melbourne.

About 30 demonstrators mingled with shoppers and tourists as two didgeridoo players kicked off the Stop the Genocide on Stolen Aboriginal Land rally at 12.30pm (AEST) today on the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets in the city centre.

Protest organiser Robbie Thorpe, who was also behind the Black GST and Camp Sovereignty protests during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne last year, said the Federal Government had no interest in the welfare of indigenous children.

"It's the only bit of land the commonwealth government hasn't got access to and there are minerals like uranium there,'' Mr Thorpe told the rally.

"That's what it's about.

"How can you believe Howard? He don't give a f**k about our kids.''

Mr Thorpe told the crowd that indigenous Australians had suffered from 100 years of abuse.

"You (the Federal and State Governments) have taken our people to the brink,'' Mr Thorpe said.

"There has been 100 years of human rights' crimes against our people,'' he said.

"Things are not going to change until there is a treaty (with the indigenous community) in this country.''

The rally ended with protesters walking around the block along Swanston Street, Flinders Street and Collins Street before ending at City Square.

The protest was part of a national day of action being held in capital cities and Alice Springs.