Reconciliation discussed
HOBART — "My people are still struggling for the return of our cultural heritage", Caroline Spotswood told 30 people at the Justice and Reconciliation forum here on June 20 sponsored by 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly.
Spotswood, who works at Riawunna, Tasmania University's Aboriginal education unit, described her trip to Europe to seek the remains of Aboriginal Tasmanians stolen over the past two centuries. While many universities and museums returned the remains and some cultural products, a number tried to impose restrictions and some refused outright.
Deb Chandler, a member of the stolen generations, and Hazel Ryan outlined the prospects for a reconciliation march in Hobart. Kamala Emanuel from the Democratic Socialist Party discussed the need for alliances with all the oppressed and Gail Robertson from the Department of Corrective Services also spoke.
Marching with Pride
BRISBANE — Fifteen hundred people marched through the city on June 24 chanting "We're here, we're queer, we're not going shopping" to celebrate Pride 2000 and support gay, lesbian and transgender rights.
The march from King George Square was led by 20 women from Dykes on Bikes, whose engines revved as the rainbow balloons and flags were raised. Marchers were greeting by another 500 supporters at Musgrave Park for the Pride Fair Day, where they were entertained by the Gay and Lesbian Choir and singing duo Women in Docs.
John Frame from Queer Radio told 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, "Every year more people come out to march. Support is growing for gay and lesbian rights."
Rally for Zimbabwe
SYDNEY — "Give Mugabe the red card" chanted 30 people gathered outside the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission here at lunchtime on June 23. They demanded that the Zimbabwe government stop the beatings and murders of opposition Movement for Democratic Change activists and conduct free and fair elections on June 24-25.
Washington Ali, the MDC representative in Australia, said that the only way President Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party could win the election is by rigging the result.