The significance of 50 years of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra has been captured by Torres Strait Islander producer, director John Harvey. The film’s use of archival footage and images from the 1970s captures the defiance and charisma of the revolutionaries, whose fight for justice for First Nations people has received national and international attention. 50 years ago Aboriginal right campaigners planted a beach umbrella opposite parliament House in Canberra, pre-empting what became known as the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
Photo Noel Hazard. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Tribune / SEARCH FoundationFirst day of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, outside Parliament House, Canberra, 27 January 1972. Left to right: Billy Craigie, Bert Williams, Michael Anderson and Tony Coorey. Image courtesy The Tribune /SEARCH Foundation.
Its’ pretty disturbing to watch because you see young people joined arm in arm and there’s just troops of police marching towards them. Director – John Harvey.
John Harvey Director “STILL WE RISE”-Policemen pull down the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in front of Parliament House Credit SMHAlan Sharpley (holding the sign) and John Newfong (far right) at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in CanberraBob Maza addresses a protest at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in front of Parliament House, Canberra, 30 July 1972.Credit:State Library of New South Wales and the SEARCH FoundationACT police officers remove tents and bedding from the Aboriginal tent embassy on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra, 20 July 1972. Image: Fairfax Media/Getty ImagesGough Whitlam speaking with Tent Embassy delegates Canberra_1972-State Library of New South Wales and the SEARCH Foundation
