Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy still going strong

An Aboriginal tent embassy has stood on the Block in Redfern since 26 May (Sorry Day). Instigated by long term Aboriginal activist Jenny Munro, a founding member of the Aboriginal Housing Corporation (AHC), the embassy was erected as a protest against the proposed commercial development of the Block. The development, if it proceeds, will further erode community control over the Block.

The embassy is part of a lengthy battle between the Aboriginal community and Mick Mundine, who has been CEO of the AHC for close to 30 years. Activists have criticised Mundine for allowing property developers and the state government to push ahead with commercial development of the land with no guarantee of Aboriginal housing. Munro says that the Block was won in the 1970s as part of the land rights struggle to establish “black housing on black land”.

More than four months old, the embassy is going strong, having endured numerous battles, including gale force winds and frequent attempts at physical intimidation. According to Munro and others Red Flag spoke to, the intimidation reached a peak over the weekend of 11-12 October, when flares were fired into the embassy. A large sovereignty sign at the front of the embassy was also attacked and those defending it assaulted. Maori woman Tepora Stephens was hospitalised with injuries sustained in the attack. One person has been charged, but according to Munro and another activist, Lyle Davis, the police have been more than reluctant to defend those protesting at the Block.

There are signs that those in power are now looking for what Munro describes as a “circuit breaker”. Mundine, Munro says, has sought redundancy from his position as CEO, and meetings are planned to shuffle the rest of the corporation’s membership. Munro is adamant, however, that all current members of the AHC have to be “purged”. Until there is a “solid indication that Aboriginal community control is restored to the Block”, the tent embassy will remain, she says. “Ordinary people are meant to be on that board, not outsiders.”

For the moment, housing developer Deicorp has also backed off, delaying plans to begin development until next year, according to Munro.

Support for the embassy continues to grow. There are regular community events and plans for film screenings to educate supporters on the history of Aboriginal struggle and culture. The mood is upbeat: home from hospital, Tepora was back at the camp with her arm in a sling when Red Flag visited. Jenny Munro says, “We aren’t going anywhere until we get what we want.”