The month old protest camp at Ampilatwatja is still going strong.
Around 150 residents of the remote Central Australian community have vowed not to return to their homes until the Federal Government meets their demands of better living conditions and an end to welfare quarantining.
Federal Government representatives held a consultation with the residents but they are not happy with what they heard. Ampilatwatja spokesperson, Richard Downs, said the consultation was “just an embarrassment…There was nothing in her [ie Macklin’s] letter…and …nothing from the meeting.”
Other communities are now preparing to join the campaign against the Intervention.
Richard reported, “We’re talking about getting together, forming a united approach, getting together in Yuendumu, Ti Tree, calling in Anmatyere people, the Kaytetye and just do a strong letter to the Prime Minister…to say, ‘Look, do away with the Intervention, start again if you have to but at least show a bit of courtesy, dignity, a bit of wisdom’.”
Walk-off protest still strong
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