[Marxism] Socialist Alliance on Redfern riot (re: Australian Youth Rebellion in SydneyOver Police Killing)

[Nick Fredman <sra@xxxxxxxxxx>]

MEDIA RELEASE February 17, 2004

No justice, no peace

Indigenous Redfern is right to resist

The death of Thomas (TJ) Hickey is a direct result of
institutionalised oppression and state racism, the Socialist
Alliance declared today.

"When young people in Redfern are treated like animals by
the police, when their area is put under armed occupation,
when they are taunted by police with offensive language, is
it any wonder that the dam breaks and people fight back,"
said Socialist Alliance national co-convenor Louise Walker.

"TJ?s death was not an isolated incident. His family says
that TJ himself was beaten up by police only weeks ago. All
young indigenous people in Redfern know that this tragedy
could have been them. The police have behaved like
conquerors in Redfern for decades."

Socialist Alliance national co-convenor David Glanz added:
"NSW opposition leader John Brogden has called for the Block
to be bulldozed. But you cannot bulldoze state racism or
years of oppression. Replacing the Block with yuppie
townhouses will not rid us of the festering sore of racism.

"A fraction of the $50 billion the Howard government is
planning to squander on military hardware would solve the
practical problems facing all poor Australians " indigenous
and non-indigenous.

"But central to a real answer has to be indigenous
self-determination. Centuries of racism can only be overcome
when its victims reclaim real power over their lives.

"The Socialist Alliance defends the right of the youth of
Redfern to resist. Without justice, there can be no peace,"
Glanz said.

For more information or comment, contact:
Louise Walker  (03) 9808 7815
David Glanz  0418 316 310
Kieran Latty  0409 749 084
www.socialist-alliance.org



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Nick Fredman
Student Rights Advocate
Southern Cross University (Lismore)
Student Representative Council

Shop 9 Plaza, SCU Lismore

Ph: 6620 3044
Email: sra@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
web: http://www.lismoresrc.org.au/

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