Why was the Tent Embassy important in 1972?

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was set up by Aboriginal activists on the lawns opposite Parliament House in 1972 to protest the Government’s refusal to acknowledge Aboriginal land rights.

What happened during the tent embassy?

On 20 July hundreds of protesters clashed with police in a violent brawl after officers tried to move people along and remove the embassy tents. On 31 July 1972 more than 2000 people were present when the tents were re-erected and then removed by protesters in a peaceful demonstration.

Does the tent embassy still exist?

From land rights to Aboriginal deaths in custody But despite being moved on and threatened with closure a number of times, the tent embassy still stands, nearly 50 years later, and is the only Aboriginal site to have been added to the Australian Register of the National Estate.

What did the government do in response to the tent embassy?

On 20 July 1972, by order of the government, 150 Australian Federal Police evicted the diplomatic staff and pro-landrights protestors, arrested eight people and removed the Tent Embassy by force. The violent eviction was followed by large-scale protests.

How did the tent embassy change civil rights?

The Tent Embassy gave a boost to the campaign for land rights. On July 14 in the same year the Tent Embassy was established, 6000 people marched in Sydney as part of the “Black Moratorium”, demanding land rights for Aboriginal people.

Who created the Aboriginal tent embassy?

Billy Craigie
Isabell Coe, whose late husband Billy Craigie was one of the four men who founded the Embassy in 1972, said the embassy represents the continuing struggle for land rights and determination to end discrimination.

Why was the Aboriginal Tent Embassy controversial?

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a permanent protest occupation site as a focus for representing the political rights of Aboriginal Australians….

Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Caused by	Dispossession of Indigenous Australians
Goals	Land rights, self-determination and reassertion of Indigenous sovereignty

Was the tent embassy a success?

‘With its flags fluttering proudly in the breeze, the Aboriginal Embassy on the lawns opposite federal parliament has been one of the most successful press and parliamentary lobbies in Australian political history.

Why was the tent embassy so successful?

Aboriginal people erected the Tent Embassy in 1972 in Canberra to protest against a court decision over mining operations on Aboriginal land. Many struggles and battles later, the Embassy has become a heritage-listed landmark for Aboriginal protest.

What happened to the Aboriginal tent embassy?

In May 1974 the embassy was destroyed in a storm, but it was re-established in October. In February 1975 Aboriginal activist Charles Perkins negotiated the “temporary” removal of the Embassy with the Government, pending Government action on land rights.

Who was in the Tent Embassy in 1972?

In January 1972, four young Aboriginal men, Billy Craigie, Tony Coorey, Michael Anderson and Bert Williams drove from Sydney to Canberra to protest the Government’s statement rejecting Aboriginal land rights. The land was taken from us by force We shouldn’t have to lease it

Why was the Tent Embassy established in Canberra?

The Tent Embassy was established on 26 January 1972 when four men placed a beach umbrella into the lawn of Parliament House in Canberra in an iconic protest against the refusal to acknowledge Aboriginal land rights. This act represented for many a symbol of strength and defiance against injustice.

When did the police take down the Tent Embassy?

Without warning, on July 20, 100 police descended on the Embassy and violently cracked down, removing the tents and arresting eight people. Three days later, on July 23, 200 demonstrators tried to re-establish the embassy and were met with a vicious response from police.

Who are the members of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy?

After the McMahon government’s announcement, many protest groups sprang into action, including a group from Redfern in Sydney. Four members of this group – Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey – drove to Canberra and set up a beach umbrella on the lawns opposite (what is now Old) Parliament House.