Aboriginal Tent Embassy ‘evicts’ Commonwealth from Canberra’s Lobby restaurant

From left, Ngunnawal representative Charlie Brown, Aboriginal elder Uncle Kevin Buzzacott, and Ngunnawal representative Nioka Coe outside the Lobby restaurant on Monday. Photo: Jamila Toderas

by Sherryn Groch, Canberra Times, Nov 6, 2017

It’s hosted Canberra’s prime ministers, diplomats and brides but now the iconic Lobby restaurant is home to a quiet occupation.

Nioka Coe, a Ngunnawal person, joined forces on Sunday with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to “reclaim” the restaurant in an act of sovereignty.

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Australia: Aboriginal Tent Embassy is Reclaiming the Black Heart of Sydney

By Paul Gregoire, Vice,  June 15, 2014

As you approach the Aboriginal tent embassy on the Block in Redfern, inner city Sydney, you see the sacred fire burning within a large circle marked on the ground, serving to cleanse the area. Some ten metres up from the fire, at the edge of the Block, the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) has erected a sign that reads: “Warning. Private Property.”

On Saturday, a group of more than 200 protesters gathered in support of the tent embassy that was established on National Sorry Day, May 26 [2014].

Australia: Brisbane Aboriginal Tent Embassy Evicted, 31 Arrests

Brisbane protest harks back to old rifts

Laraine Stathan and Mirand Forester, May 16, 2012

Protesters confront police as eviction of Brisbane Aboriginal Tent Embassy begins.

An Aboriginal rights protest directed at Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has marred the ceremonial opening of parliament and harked back to the state’s days of deep division.

Around 200 police surrounded Musgrave Park at South Brisbane on Wednesday to remove tent embassy protesters who had refused to make way for this weekend’s annual Greek festival.

The ugly eviction, which saw 31 people arrested, coincided with the official opening of parliament.

Australian Prime Minister Mobbed by Protesters

PM dragged away after being trapped by protesters

Dylan Welch, Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 2012

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard (white shirt, skirt) dragged through mob

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, had to be extracted from a restaurant near Parliament House as angry protesters banged on the glass.
Supporters of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra picketed the Lobby restaurant over comments by Mr Abbott this morning that the tent embassy should close.
As many as 200 gathered in front of the restaurant, banging on its glass walls and yelling “shame” and “racist”.

Australia: 40 Year Anniversary of Aboriginal Tent Embassy

Aboriginal tent embassy clocks up 40 years

Lisa Martin, Sydney Morning Herald, January 24, 2012
For some it’s a Canberra eyesore, for others a curiosity but on the eve of its 40th anniversary the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is still in place – an icon of indigenous struggle for generations of Australians.

Aboriginal Tent Embassy, est. January 27, 1972

Four Aboriginal men – Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey – set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, opposite Old Parliament House in Canberra, at 1am on January 27, 1972.