Spirited Rally for West Papua Outside Immigration Department : Melbourne Indymedia

A spirited rally was held today in Melbourne in Solidarity with the people of West Papua and the 43 West Papuan Asylum seekers held in detention on Christmas Island. About 100 people gathered outside DIMIA in the CBD to voice their support for West Papua and outrage at the Australian Government.
Speakers included Jimmy Cocking a West Papuan Independance and Forest Activist. Senator Lyn Allison from the Democrats and Kerry Nettle from the Greens both spoke eloquently on the need for the Australian Government to side with human rights not the Indonesian military. Kerry Nettle also informed the crowd that two independance actions had just happened in West Papua itself including the storming of the West Papuan Parliament builiding by activists calling for all Indonesian troops to leave West Papua. The bravery of these actions was inspiring for those attending the rally. Kerry Nettle is also planning to visit the Asylum seekers on Christmas Island. Pamela Curr fired up the crowd with her passionate calls for the 43 ayslum seekers to be released immediately on bridging visas and her denouncement of the so called "change of culture" in DIMIA. She also informed the crowd the asylum seekers on Christmas Island were being kept in communicado and could not be contacted. This meant they probably had not heard about the reprisal shootings of four teenagers from their part of West Papua. Robbie Thorpe an Aboriginal Activist as well expressing solidarity with the West Papuans facing Genocide called on Australians to support Aboriginals in their struggle against genocide by attending the Stolenwealth Games GST rallies. Other speakers included Bishop Hilton Deakin from CARITAS and Vanessa from Asia-Pacific Solidarity. Vanessa like a number of other speakers spoke of the links and similarities between the crimes committed by the Indonesian military in East Timor and West Papua. It was an informative mix of speakers which reflected the wide support now gathering behind the West Papuan cause. Unfortunately a failed PA made the acoustics a bit challenging but these things happen and the speakers did their best to be heard.
Lively and colorful dances were also performed by a troupe of traditional West Papuan dancers in full traditional garb (with the addition of wrap around sunglasses for some). The words peace and justice were painted on the dancers legs. The rally opened with a commanding war dance accompanied by drums and more dances occured after the speakers.
Despite some confusion (challenging acoustics related) meant that the march to Federation Square was a bit smaller than the rally itself. Still the smaller group of about 20 people chanted loudly and passionately "Free West Papua - Release the Refugees" all the way to Federation Square. Thousands of the shoppers looked on confused by the presence of the morning star and lack of "Aussie, Aussie Aussies" and will hopefully at least now have heard of West Papua. Numerous people also gave the thumbs up along the way.
The energy and mix of speakers at this rally really felt like the start of something bigger. As a number of speakers said - we know what we have to do now - get out on the streets and into the media to pressure our government to adopt a just policy both to the West Papuan Asylum Seekers and to the people of West Papuan as a whole. The speakers also acknowledged this will be a long campaign but today's rally shows that this campaign is now entering a new and important phase.

Below is an AAP article taken from the Age Website on the Rally

Papua protesters slam Indonesian 'occupation'

January 24, 2006 - 1:24PM
150 people have protested in Melbourne against the Indonesian occupation of Papua.

Some carrying banners calling for Indonesia to leave the former Dutch province it took over in the 1960s, they gathered outside the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) building.

They heard allegations Indonesia had committed "genocide" in Papua.

Australian Democrats leader Lyn Allison said about 100,000 people had likely been killed in the province.

"I don't think there is any doubt about that," she said.

Senator Allison said the detention on Christmas Island of the 43 asylum seekers who arrived at Cape York last week, was illegal and they should be processed on the mainland.

Australian Greens senator Kerry Nettle said the asylum seekers should be able to contact friends and supporters.

"It is a week since the West Papuans arrived in Australia, yet the government is still holding them incommunicado," Senator Nettle said.

She said she understood about half of the 43 asylum seekers had undergone interviews with DIMIA and formally applied for asylum.

A group of Melbourne dancers originally from West Papua also performed in traditional dress at the protest.

- AAP

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/papua-protesters-slam-indonesian-occupation/2006/01/24/1138066771399.html

ABC article Link
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1554328.htm