Koorie Youth Council keeps Invasion Day rally under wraps

A LEADER of a publicly funded indigenous group that is promoting an “Invasion Day” rally has lashed out after being questioned about a decision by activists to not co-operate with police.

A LEADER of a publicly funded indigenous group that is promoting an “Invasion Day” rally has lashed out after being questioned about a decision by activists to not co-operate with police.

The Koorie Youth Council, funded by the state government, has been promoting the Friday protest, which is expected to close down parts of the city as tens of thousands of supporters call for the abolition of Australia Day.

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Indigenous activists behind the rally — Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance — have refused to help police prepare for the rally.

Organiser Tarneen Onus-Williams, who is also an executive of the council, today labelled 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell a racist for challenging the decision.

Invasion Day rally organiser Tarneen Onus-Williams. Picture: David Geraghty / The Australian.

Ms Onus-Williams said: “You’re questioning my legitimacy as a sovereign person of this land by asking me to deal with police.

“We are Aboriginal people asserting our sovereignty on our country.

“People can do things the way they like, and we like to do things we like to do.”

The council received $875,000 in state government funding in the 2016-17 budget and shared in a $17.9 million indigenous grant this year.

It has used its Facebook page to rally support.

“Make sure you get along and make your voice heard,” a social media post reads.

Ms Onus-Williams refused to answer whether it was a legitimate use of public funds.

“I have free speech. I don’t have to answer a question,” she said.

More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the rally, which last year overtook the city’s official Australia Day parade.

Thousands of Melburnians last year marched in protest against Australia Day last year, and are expected to do so again this week. Picture: Chris Hopkins/Getty Images

Last year’s rally turnout eclipsed that of official Australia Day celebrations. Picture: Chris Hopkins/Getty Images

Authorities will be on high alert as opposing right-wing groups stage their own events.

WAR, a group of young Aborigines calling for the decolonisation of Australia, has held several fundraisers in the lead-up to the protest.

It has also rallied supporters to take part in its “7 Days of Resistance” campaign, encouraging Aboriginal people to “exercise their sovereign rights”.

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“True sovereigns have the highest authority and the current white laws are inferior to the oldest lores in the world,” a post read.

Melbourne’s inner northern councils Yarra, Darebin and Moreland last year voted to dump Australia Day.

The Greens have also called for government buildings to fly Australian and Aboriginal flags at half-mast on the day.

Activists during Melbourne’s 2016 Invasion Day rally through the city. Picture: Nicole Cleary

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Indigenous activists will speak at the steps of parliament from 11am on Friday, then lead thousands on a march through the city to Flinders St station.

A City of Melbourne spokesman said the protest did not require its authorisation.

“(Council) does not issue permits for protests or demonstrations,” he said.

Acting Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Luke Donnellan said: “For a decade, the Victorian Government has provided support to the Koorie Youth Council, which provides a voice for young Aboriginal Victorians — and that will continue.

“We respect the right of all Victorians to advocate for what they believe in.”

A Victoria Police spokesman said: “Police are aware of comments made in the media; however, police are engaging with all relevant stakeholders, including event organisers, to provide relevant safety and security advice.

“While it would be inappropriate to comment on the detail of those discussions, the organisers have indicated their plans for a peaceful and solemn event.”

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