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The Beginning
On the 26th of January 1972, four men from Sydney arrived in Canberra, setting up a beach umbrella on the lawn of the now Old Parliament House. This was the beginning of the Tent Embassy. The four men were known as Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Tony Coorey and Bertie Williams. -
The Beginning II
The Embassy was established in recognition of the McMahon Coalition Government's refusal to recognise Aboriginal Land Right's, in which the four men who started the embassy protested for, after they were originally denied. -
Things Get Bigger
The umbrella was soon replaced by tents as more Aboriginal and non-indigenous people from all around Australia came down to protest.The first six months were a success, with the protest catching attention of more indigenous and non-indigenous people, gaining more support and recognition. -
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What Happened Afterwards
The Aboriginal flag was first raised during the Tent Embassy, and it (the Tent Embassy) stands as a symbol of 'Black Power'. Throughout 1972 to 1992, the embassy moved a number of times due to it being torn down and rebuilt, firebombed and blown down in a storm. From 1992 till today, it has stood on the Old Parliament House's lawn, a little away from where it was first established. -
A List is Formed
In February 1972, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy presented a list of demands to the Parliament House. Including demands like; Control of the Northern Territory as a state, the preservation of all sacred sites through-out Australia, Legal title and mining rights to areas in and around all Australian capital cities etc.
The demands were rejected by the Parliament House. -
Demolition
July 1972, police came into the scene and removed the tents, then proceeding to arrest eight people. Violence had broke out between the police and the protestors. At the end of July, the embassy came back by more than 200 people and more than 1000 protestors gathered to stop its removal. More than 18 were arrested. The embassy has survived on the lawns of the Parliament House ever since then. -
Reactions
Throughout 1972 the public and political reaction was mixed. The government was embarrassed, even though some of it's politicians supported it. More than 30 federal Labor politicians visited and pledged their support. -
Recognition
In 1995 it was registered by the Australia Heritage Commission as the only site nationally recognised to represent the continuous struggles of Aboriginal Australias. It is known to be the longest surviving protest site in the world. -
The Late Apology
In 2008, Kevin Rudd delivered a historic formal apology to Australia's indigenous people. "We reflect on their past mistreatment, we reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our national history” -
The 40th Anniversary
On the 26th of January 2012, then Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott, attended a function to participate in the 40th anniversary. The protestors were angered by Abbott's comments, as they saw him calling for the removal of the Tent Embassy. -
The Tent Embassy Today
The Tent Embassy still stands today as a place where aboriginal can protest for aboriginal needs or seek shelter when they have no where to stay for the night. It is still an on-going problem how Aboriginals still have to protest for their rights and freedom. -
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Does one event spark a chain reaction, is there a visible cause and effect pattern?
In a way some events lead to others. For example the protest led them to being denied and arrested. Their area was demolished but re built as a sign that they wouldn't give up. -
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Questions - Do you see a pattern in the events?
Honestly, I do see a pattern in these events, as they all have a similar outcome. However, obvious things would include people getting arrested, the Tent Embassy being destroyed and politicians and the Parliament rejecting their demands. Aboriginal people are still protesting for their rights and freedoms, while Australian citizens still don't try to help them nowadays.
