Aborigines burn Australian flag
- 12 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
Up to 200 protesters marched to the Parliament House in Canberra on Friday (January 27) angered by comments of Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, on Australia Day about disbanding the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is not an official embassy, but was set up by Aboriginal people to campaign for rights 40 years ago outside the old parliament house.
Protesters, including boys, spat on and burnt the Australian flag as the Federal Police guarded the entrance to the parliament house.
They accused the government of racism against aborginal communities.
"Who own this land?" a leader shouted. "We do," the protesters answered.
On Thursday (January 26) a protest triggered a security alert and a scuffle as police whisked Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the opposition leader away from the scene.
Earlier in the day, Abbott, the Liberal Party leader, angered supporters of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy saying it was time to move on.
Local media reported that some Aboriginal spokespeople agreed with the opposition leader and called for calm.
Prime Minister Gillard dismissed the security alert and said she was fine, but was angered that Thursday's disturbance had interrupted a medal ceremony for the emergency services.
Up to 200 protesters marched to the Parliament House in Canberra on Friday (January 27) angered by comments of Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, on Australia Day about disbanding the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is not an official embassy, but was set up by Aboriginal people to campaign for rights 40 years ago outside the old parliament house.
Protesters, including boys, spat on and burnt the Australian flag as the Federal Police guarded the entrance to the parliament house.
They accused the government of racism against aborginal communities.
"Who own this land?" a leader shouted. "We do," the protesters answered.
On Thursday (January 26) a protest triggered a security alert and a scuffle as police whisked Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the opposition leader away from the scene.
Earlier in the day, Abbott, the Liberal Party leader, angered supporters of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy saying it was time to move on.
Local media reported that some Aboriginal spokespeople agreed with the opposition leader and called for calm.
Prime Minister Gillard dismissed the security alert and said she was fine, but was angered that Thursday's disturbance had interrupted a medal ceremony for the emergency services.