SA: Aboriginal protesters make Proclamation Day stand

AAP General News (Australia)
12-28-1999
SA: Aboriginal protesters make Proclamation Day stand

Aboriginal protesters have interrupted Proclamation Day ceremonies in Adelaide to
take their message to South Australian Governor Sir ERIC NEAL.

Lake Eyre Aborigine KEVIN BUZZACOTT, who has been leading a protest outside Adelaide's
government house for nearly two weeks, was among the group who presented the governor
with a statement of claim over SA land.

Mr BUZZACOTT draped an Aboriginal flag over the Old Gum Tree at Glenelg, the site where
South Australia was proclaimed 163 years ago.

IRENE WATSON, of the TANGANEKALD (pron. Tungunnakarl) people then presented the governor
with the statement of claim.

She said it was in a spirit of hope that negotiations could begin to decolonise Aboriginal
territories.

Sir ERIC spoke briefly with the group's members before they returned to their seats.

A strong police presence was on hand as the presentation was arranged shortly before
the start of scheduled proceedings and police escorted the group to and from the stage.

The event remained peaceful, except for some shouting as some of the protest group
left after Premier JOHN OLSEN delivered his speech towards the end of the ceremony.





Earlier in the day, the protesters had released a statement saying they were drawing
up a list of people they wanted to charge with genocide.

And Mr BUZZACOTT called on the governor to direct the state government to recognise
genocide in SA courts.

AAP RTV vm/jn

KEYWORD: PROTEST (ADELAIDE)

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