Gold Coast Commonwealth Games protesters call on Prince Charles to meet with them

PROTESTERS have set up camp ready for the Commonwealth Games and have issued a challenge to Prince Charles ahead of his visit for the opening ceremony.

COMMONWEALTH Games protesters camping out at The Spit want Prince Charles to pay them a visit so they can “have a yarn”.

Brisbane Aboriginal-Sovereign Embassy leader Wayne Wharton, who is helping organise the “Stolenwealth Games” protests, has called on the next king to visit the temporary base camp at Doug Jennings Park.

“We want to be able to get to (Prince Charles) and have a yarn to him,” Mr Wharton said.

“And we want to make sure he listens to our messages.”

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Britain's Prince Charles looks on ahead of delivering his Easter message at Clarence House in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The protester base camp will be in operation throughout the Commonwealth Games period and will feature a busy program including marches, workshops, yarning circles, treaty talks and guest speakers from other Commonwealth nations.

While it will be the temporary home to protesters from around the country, Mr Wharton said the camp was open to anyone interested in visiting.

“It’s not about exclusion, it’s about inclusion,” he said.

“We’re trying to open up a discussion with everyday Australians and keep it going.

“We’re talking to the representatives of other countries and asking them to support us in coming up with some sort of agreement about occupation on our land that we share.

“we are the only people who do not have some sort of agreement and it doesn’t say a lot about our leadership over the last 60 or 70 years.

“All these other countries around the world have surpassed us. They’ve worked out their differences and gone to become better for it. Australia seems to be dragging the chain.

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A program for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games protesters Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance Stolenwealth Games

Protesters yesterday draped a 30 square metre Aboriginal flag off the Goodwill Bridge in Brisbane’s South Bank, and Mr Wharton said they expected to do something similar at Kirra this week.

Mr Wharton is no stranger to protesting at Commonwealth Games, having taken part in the protests during the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

Wayne Wharton at the Indigenous protest ahead of G20 at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane. Pics Tara Croser.

“Things are different to what they were 30 years ago,” he said.

“More people have an understanding of what took place. More younger people are keen to get involved”

He said more than 5000 protesters are expected to protest during the Games.

Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine protesting at the 1982 Commonwealth Games (supplied by Warren Mundine).

GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie said he was aware of the planned protests and did not expect disruption or violence.

“People are entitled to protest and we have no issue with that,” Mr Beattie said.

“The only thing we ask is they work with police to ensure no disruption to athletes or spectators.

“Frankly, I wish them all the best and the only thing I say to them is make sure you buy tickets and come to the Games when you’re finished.”