[Imc-zimbabwe] 'Apology is a start, now for justice!': The apology to indigenous Australia

[glparramatta]

'Apology is a start, now for justice!'

In this short video
<http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=728> , five indigenous
activists in the Socialist Alliance share their views on the Australian
Parliament's February 13 apology for the Stolen Generations. All five
attended the protest against the racist intervention against Aboriginal
communities in the Northern territory, held on the eve of the apology.

Lara Pullin, Socialist Alliance member ACT branch:

"Intervention has to go. Sorry means nothing without an end to the NT
intervention.

"Other governments around the world are using the Australian
intervention as a model of how to attack their Indigenous people.

"People are not going to accept just 'sorry'. They want a sorry that
means something, a sorry that includes the “c” word that nobody seems to
be able to get out, a sorry that does not divide people. We are not
going to be divided like that.

"It’s long overdue, it needs to be done but the main thing I am
concerned about is to make sure that they get compensated though nothing
will take away the trauma and pain they’ve gone through."

Natasha Moore, member Socialist Alliance Perth branch:

"I think it is a start. By apologizing he’s acknowledging and
recognizing the Indigenous people as the first people on this land. I
think it will be part of a healing process so other Australians and
Aboriginal people can come together and form alliances and partnerships
on issues facing communities in the various cities around Australia.

"I think it is just a stepping stone to getting more Indigenous issues
addressed.

"For the Stolen Generations, I feel for them. It has been a long time
coming and governments have not acknowledges them for being stolen from
their families and placed in institutions or foster homes. For them it
is very important for those words to be said by our government but I
also think it is only the start of a much bigger process that needs to
happen."

Sam Watson, Socialist Alliance national spokesperson on Indigenous affairs:

"We are sending a pretty clear message to Mr Rudd and his government:
Don’t say sorry say sovereignty.

"He can say sorry tomorrow and certainly there will be a huge number of
senior people and elders in the chamber to receive his apology but
people will also have to note that inside this Parliament of Australia
there is not one single Aboriginal person.in the House or the Senate.
So, again Aboriginal people are hostage to a political system in which
we have no control and in which we have no real representation or
capacity to influence or exert any pressure."

Lindi Dietzel, Socialist Alliance Geelong branch member:

"I hope it is not hollow and I hope that it gives an answer for a lot of
people who have a lot of grief. It is a great place to start but let’s
see. We’ll watch this place."