Protest Against Sunrise, Seven Network
Around 100 people rallied outside the television studios of the Seven Network's Sunrise program for the second time, to protest against comments made last week by an all white panel, suggesting that removing Aboriginal children from their families was a "no brainer" and stating that, "Just like the first Stolen Generation, where a lot of children were taken because it was for their wellbeing, we need to do it again, perhaps".
Aboriginal communities around Australia and their supporters were outraged and demanded an apology from Sunrise, which to date has not been forthcoming.
The rally was organised by Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties (FISTT), a social and political initiative aiming to represent and liberate Australia's First Nations people.
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Masta Ace at the Factory
Veteran hip hop artist, Masta Ace, performed last Friday night at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville.
In 2013, Masta Ace revealed he had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, after suffering from the disease for many years.
On this night, Masta Ace performed with live local band, Mister Ott.
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Africultures Festival - Portraits
Portrait photographs from the 10th annual Africultures Festival at Wyatt Park in Lidcombe.
Thousands gather from across Sydney to celebrate the vast diversity of African culture through song, dance, food and performance.
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International Women's Day - Sydney
Around 3,000 people marched through central Sydney today to champion women's rights as a part of International Women's Day.
This year's march was led by the Asian Women at Work network.
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Candles in the Cross - 40 years of Mardi Gras
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which, in 1978, saw participants savagely beaten by NSW police as they marched through Sydney into Kings Cross. It was a turning point for LGBTQI rights in Australia, culminating 40 years later in the marriage equality legislation passed late last year.
Last night, a group of the original participants of the inaugural Mardi Gras, known as the '78ers', gathered with supporters at the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross for a premiere screening of 'Riot', a television adaption of the events of 1978.
After the screening, the crowd marched down to Fitzroy Gardens, through the pouring rain, to stage a candle light vigil to remember the victims of the violent police attacks, on the site where they originally took place. 53 candles were lit to commemorate the 53 people arrested on that fateful night. The march was led by well known LGBTQI identity, Mother Inferior, who also serenaded those gathered with accordion and song.
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Open Cut: Exhibition Opening
An exhibition of photos, paintings and other artworks by Jacky Green, Sean Kerins and Therese Ritchie opened today at Cross Arts Projects in Kings Cross.
The exhibition explores the impact of mining and exploitation of Aboriginal land, specifically in the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria region.
Opening the exhibition were Garawa guests, Nancy McDinny and Stewart Hoosan, who also featured in some of the photos and travelled from the Borroloola area in the Northern Territory, where Glencore's McAurthur River Mine has been attracting ongoing and increasing environmental criticism.
Acknowledgement of country was provided by Uncle Ken Canning. Dr Seán Kerins (ANU, Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research) spoke, backgrounding the exhibition in political and environmental terms.
The exhibition runs until the 31st of March at The Cross Arts Project, 8 Llankelly Place, Kings Cross (Off Orwell Street).
*click on images for full screen view.
4th ISJA Silent March Stop all Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Images from the 4th Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA) 'Silent March' which aims to highlight ongoing Aboriginal deaths in custody.
Today's rally marched through Circular Quay in Sydney, attracting attention from tourists and locals alike.
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On Gomeroi - Pamela
From the series 'On Gomeroi' - photographic portraits taken on a recent road trip out to north-western New South Wales, the land belonging to the Gomeroi people.
This is a portrait of Pamela, a young girl from the small town of Boggabilla.
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On Gomeroi - Jedda and Lavenia
From the series 'On Gomeroi' - photographic portraits taken on a recent road trip out to north-western New South Wales, the land belonging to the Gomeroi people.
This is a portrait of mother and daughter, Jedda and Lavenia, from the remote town of Collarenebri, situated on the Barwon River.
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On Gomeroi: Haylee
From the series 'On Gomeroi' - photographic portraits taken on a recent road trip out to north-western New South Wales, the land belonging to the Gomeroi people.
This is a portrait of Haylee, a young Gomeroi girl from the border town of Mungindi.
*click on image for full screen view
Talking Justice in the Pacific
Images from 'Talking Justice in the Pacific', held at Marrickville Town Hall, and organised by Jubilee Australia.
Speakers included Papuan activist and traditional land owner, Lucielle Paru, from the Port Moresby area of PNG, and Australian novelist, Tim Winton. The discussion was moderated by Luke Fletcher, executive director of Jubilee Australia. The evening's proceedings were opened with an acknowledgement of country by Uncle Ken Canning, following a performance by Papuan dance troupe, Kairuku-Mekeo.
Topics included land and sea rights for indigenous peoples across the Pacific, colonialism, self-determination, environmental issues and human rights.
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State Library of NSW Acquisition - Safe Space for the Homeless
I'm excited to officially announce that the State Library of NSW has acquired to its collection 21 of my photographs documenting the 24/7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space for the Homeless which operated a 'tent city' in Martin Place in Sydney's CBD for most of 2017.
The acquisition means that the Library will hold evidence that this important grass-roots, community-led movement took place, so that future generations of researchers, photographers, historians, journalists and concerned citizens might have some insight into the current homelessness crisis in Sydney.
Below are some portraits of Lanz Priestly, the main instigator and organiser of the Safe Space, taken on location on New Years day, 2017. These particular photographs are not part of the acquisition. To see those photographs, please head to the NSW State Library.
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One Billion Rising
The One Billion Rising campaign aims to work towards ending violence against women. A signature of its international campaign is action through dance.
Yesterday in Hyde Park, around two hundred women gathered to demand an end to all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, workplace exploitation and human trafficking. The event culminated in a mass performance of the One Billion Rising dance.
The action was organised by Asian Women At Work and Immigrant Women Speak Out.
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T.J. Hickey Memorial and Rally
This Wednesday, the 14th of February was not celebrated as St.Valentine's Day for the Hickey family.
Instead, it marked 14 years since T.J. Hickey was killed on his bicycle during a police pursuit through Redfern and Waterloo.
This year, the date comes exactly one week after an Aboriginal man, Patrick Fisher, died fleeing police not 200 metres away from where T.J. Hickey lost his life. Both cases represent a long line of ongoing cases of Aboriginal deaths in custody.
A memorial and rally was held today at the Waterloo housing estate to commemorate the life T.J. Hickey and the events leading to his death, 14 years ago.
A substantial police presence was evident during the rally, including riot squad members, as the family and supporters peacefully marched from Waterloo to State Parliament. Family members continue to demand justice, 14 years on.
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T.J. Hickey - 14 Years On
This Wednesday, the 14th of February will not be celebrated as St.Valentine's Day for the Hickey family.
Instead, it will mark 14 years since T.J. Hickey was killed on his bicycle during a police pursuit through Redfern and Waterloo.
This year, the date comes exactly one week after an Aboriginal man, Patrick Fisher, died fleeing police not 200 metres away from where T.J. Hickey lost his life. Both cases represent a long line of ongoing cases of Aboriginal deaths in custody.
A rally will be held on Wednesday at the Waterloo housing estate to commemorate the life T.J. Hickey and the events leading to his death 14 years ago. Family members will be demanding justice.
Below is an image of T.J.'s mother, Gail, holding a memorial plaque and a photograph of her son. Standing next to Gail is her grandson, Jarrel.
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R.I.P. Patrick Fisher - Rally
This morning, around 200-300 people commemorated the life of the late Patrick Fisher, who last Wednesday, died while allegedly fleeing from police. He allegedly fell from a thirteenth floor balcony at the Joseph Banks Tower in the Waterloo public housing estate.
Speakers remembered the popular 31-year old and called for an independent inquiry, community action and justice, given the ongoing Aboriginal deaths in police custody.
The crowd then marched to Redfern Park to the chants of "Too many coppers, not enough justice!" as police looked on. More speeches from family and community members were held at the park.
The police are conducting a critical incident review into Wednesday's events.
Patrick Fisher leaves behind, three sons, a mother, brothers, sisters and a large extended family, many who were present today.
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On Gomeroi: Adam
From the series 'On Gomeroi' - photographic portraits taken on a recent road trip out to north-western New South Wales, the land belonging to the Gomeroi people.
This is a portrait of Adam, a young Gomeroi father living in the small town of Boggabilla.
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On Gomeroi: Kayleedah
From the series 'On Gomeroi' - photographic portraits taken on a recent road trip out to north-western New South Wales, the land belonging to the Gomeroi people.
This is a portrait of Kayleedah, a young woman from the small town of Boggabilla.
*click on image for full screen view
