STOP BLACK DEATHS IN CUSTODY NOW - FIGHT RACISM IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

PUBLIC MEETING: REDFERN COMMUNITY CENTRE (THE BLOCK) SATURDAY, APRIL 10^th 2010 at 1.00pm

SPEAKERS: VICTIM’S FAMILIES; ABORIGINAL ACTIVISTS; HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS

Organized by Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA)

Supported by: STICS, Socialist Alliance, Socialist Alternative

For more information Ray Jackson 0415858264 or Raul Bassi 0403037376

PRESS RELEASE

THE CUSTODIAL KILLING FIELDS

April 7, 2010

From February 20-April 4, the custodial systems of Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales became the Killing Fields. There have been six Deaths in Custody in gaols and police watchouses, as well as the triple shooting of an 18-year-old escapee on transit from Bathurst Gaol to the Mental Health Unit at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Gaol at the Silverwater Complex.

Two outstanding cases have yet to reach a satisfactory judicial solution: the February 2004 death of TJ Hickey, whose family has sent a submission to the United Nations in an attempt to bring the Redfern Police to justice; and the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island in November 2004 at the hands of then-Sgt Chris Hurley – which led to a community riot, three Coronial Inquests and a Supreme Court trial. Still justice has yet to be found..

Both families live in an everyday hell of despair while searching for justice.

The horror death of Mr Ward in 2008 in WA at the hands of the two transport officers was by far the most callous death in custody for many years: Mr Ward was literally cooked to death in a transit van in temperatures of 56 degrees Celsius. Some 27 months later, charges against the officers are still pending but the WA government has been shamed into paying some interim compensation.

Three deaths in 2009 in the NSW gaol system highlight the lack of any duty of care that was also missing from all the deaths as outlined above.

After the 2009 Mardi gras, Redfern Police arrested 34-year-old Veronica Baxter, a transwoman, and placed her at the MRRC, a male gaol. Within days she was found hung in her one-out cell. Gaol staff stated that she was able to mix with the male inmates and even to visit another pod within the gaol. Little beyond that is known as Commissioner Woodham has declared that no information is to be made public, not even to the family.

The second death took place in the back of a NSW transit van. Mark Holcroft, a non-Aboriginal inmate died of a heart attack during transit from Bathurst Gaol to Mannus Gaol in August 2009. Similar to the Mr Ward case, the transit van drivers considered their comfort to be more important than that of Mark. He has been dead for two hours when the van reached Mannus Gaol. The family was informed five days later.

The third death, in early December 2009, was that of 21-year-old Terry Griffith Jnr, who was found hung in his one-out cell at the John Moroney's Young Offenders Program at Windsor. Again, nothing is known as the cold hand of Commissioner Woodham has kept everything secret. The family was only informed of their son's death two days later.

The six deaths in custody in WA and Qld in 2010 continue the travesty of justice and the complete lack of any duty of care. What makes the custodial organisations – the police, the gaols and the health systems – believe that inmates and detainees have no human rights? If we strip these from them, then what hope for rehabilitation?

Our police and our gaolers do not, and must never have, the power of an executioner. That is not their role. Why then do they hold sway over the “Killing Fields”? Why does society believe that the lives taken are not worthy? It is because they are Aboriginal persons?

They must become more responsible and accept their duty of care: we must stop the Killing Fields.   

To that purpose, the INDIGENOUS SOCIAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION is holding a public meeting outside the Redfern Community Centre at 2pm on Saturday April 10, 2010. Come hear the families, activists and communities call for justice and end the Killing Fields.

Ray Jackson at 9318 0947 or Raul Bassi at 0403 037 376

These plans will manage and calm traffic on local roads, increase pedestrian, bicycle and public transport access and provide better safety and amenity for local residents. The plans also aim to:

* improve walking access to, and safety around, local schools;

* prioritise installation of new street crossings and traffic calming devices;

* plan for improved and new cycleways;

* improve access to public transport ; and

* re-direct through-traffic to State and regional roads

A community meeting for the Erskineville, Newtown and Darlington Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Plan will be held in conjunction with the Inner West Community Forum on Tuesday 31 March at Rydges, 9 Missenden Road Camperdown.

The community Forum will also consider the plans for Darlington's Charles Kernan Reserve http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCommittees/2009/Committees/090309/environment.asp

Those with an interest in what Council is proposing for the Newtown Erskineville Camperdown and Darlington Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic Calming Plan should consult the report and take the opportunity to raise their concerns at the 16 December 2009 CoS Traffic Committee meeting.

You are entitled to make a representation at the Traffic Committee.  However in order to do this, you will need to contact Claudia Calabro via email (ccalabro@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au) including a brief description of what your concerns are. 

Due to the timing of this report going to committee it will not go to Council until February so there will be some extra time between the report being considered by the Traffic Committee and the Council for people to raise any concerns with Councillors.

The Council Officers Report to the Taffic Committee can be found at: Newtown Erskineville Camperdown And Darlington Pedestrian Cycling And Traffic Calming Plan | PDF 6Mb

The Final Technical Report can be found at: Final Tech Report - Newtown Erskineville Camperdown Darlington Pedestrian Cycling and Traffic | PDF 15Mb

The details of the Traffic Committee (with incorrect date header) can be found at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCommittees/2009/Traffic/161209.asp

Our reference: S065942 File Number: 2010/070265

Dear Resident,

When we talked to local residents about upgrading Charles Kernan Reserve, you suggested we might put in a food garden.

In response to your request an area has now been set aside for food growing, and will be developed as part of the renewal of the reserve.

A meeting has been organised to bring people together who are interested in developing and caring for this communal garden. If you want to be involved in this exciting project please come along on:

For a complete plan of the improvements to the park please see over the page (see Plan of Charles Kernan Reserve Showing Food Garden ).

The City's Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan for a green, global and connected city can be achieved only through partnerships with you — our residents. Our community gardens program is an innovative way communities and the City can work together to enjoy and improve local green spaces, and share ideas about sustainable food.

Once a community group has been set up for this project, follow-up meetings will be organised to help plan and build the garden. These meetings will take place after work on the reserve is complete.

Please RSVP to the meeting by Monday 9 May 2010 by contacting Council's Community Gardrden Coordinator, Annie Walker on 9265 9786 or by email - anwalker@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Yours sincerely

Director - City_; Community and Cultural Services_; Community and Cultural Services

• City of Sydney
• Housing NSW
• University of NSW Community Development Project
• The Factory Community Centre
• South Sydney Community Transport

Light refreshments will be provided.

Should you require this information in an alternative format please contact: CITY OF SYDNEY: 9265 9333 council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS):13 14 50 

Representatives from the follow organisation have been invited to hear your concerns and answer you questions:

• City of Sydney
• Housing NSW
• Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development
• Redfern Local Area Command
• South Sydney Community Transport
• The Factory Community Centre
• University of NSW Community Development Project

Speak with Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP, Councillors, City of Sydney Staff, Police, Housing NSW and representatives from local organisations about your concerns. Hear about the City of Sydney’s work in your area and give us you feedback. Light refreshments will be provided.

Representatives from the follow organisation have been invited to hear your concerns and answer you questions:

• City of Sydney
• Housing NSW
• Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development
• Redfern Local Area Command
• South Sydney Community Transport
• The Factory Community Centre
• University of NSW Community Development Project

The Green Square Forum Council had scheduled for this night has been moved to 29 July 2008 which was the original date for the Inner South Community Forum.

INNER WEST COMMUNITY FORUM

The Inner West Community Forum on Tuesday 17 November at Erskineville Town Hall includes updates on the Newtown Railway Station upgrade, the UTS City Campus Master Plan and Frasers Broadway's CUB redevelopment.

Presentations at the forum, for Chippendale, Darlington, Newtown, Erskineville and Eveleigh residents, will also include information on City's cycleway network, including separated cycleway projects on Missenden Road and Wilson, Abercrombie, Codrington and Shepherd Streets.

City staff will present on how we can save energy and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Our vision for a sustainable Sydney is only achievable with your involvement and support.

From 6pm, you will be able to discuss your concerns with Councillors,

City staff and local Police before formal presentations begin at 6.45pm.

I encourage you to attend and have your say, and learn about the City's work in your area.

Information

* Inner West Community Forum, Erskineville Town Hall, Erskineville Road, Erskineville, Tuesday 17 November, 6.00pm – 8.30pm.

Awaiting Further Details which will be available through:

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/LocalActionPlans/InnerWest.asp

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCommittees/2009/Default.asp

“The Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs – including seven Ministers and senior Aboriginal representatives – is determined to involve Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders in fostering great futures for Aboriginal people through improved educational and employment opportunity, and better performance by Government,” Minister Dominello said.

“Our Taskforce wants to hear directly from the Aboriginal community, Aboriginal parents, the non-government sector, corporate Australia, educators and other ‘opportunity creators’ about what’s working on the ground and how we can build on these initiatives for the benefit of Aboriginal kids.

“Our Taskforce seeks ideas that create generational change and will see more Aboriginal kids having real opportunity, real choices and real careers. That means more Aboriginal doctors, more Aboriginal accountants, more Aboriginal engineers, more Aboriginal teachers – and any other successful future that a young Aboriginal person may choose.

“With more than 35 per cent of the NSW Aboriginal population estimated to be under the age of 15, the NSW Government is determined to help today’s Aboriginal kids have great tomorrows through choice, responsibility and opportunity.[i]

“Responding to the Community Discussion Papers and participating in the planned public meetings throughout NSW gives people the chance to say how together – Government and community – we can lead and succeed in having Aboriginal aspiration overcome Aboriginal disadvantage,” Minister Dominello said.

Minister Dominello noted that the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has learned from the failure of the former Government and is committed to a genuine partnership-based approach to Aboriginal affairs.

“The best results are gained when Aboriginal communities identify the opportunities, take responsibility, develop capabilities and drive the solutions. That’s why it’s critical for there to be strong, honest and genuine partnerships with Aboriginal communities – both at the Taskforce level and in developing the strategy through consultation,” Minister Dominello said.

“Governments do not and cannot have all the answers and I encourage all interested organisations and individuals to get involved in the public consultation process through attending a meeting or making an online submission.

“Your views will certainly be welcome, respected and responded to,” Minister Dominello said.

Public community meeting dates for 2012

To access the Community Discussion Papers and for further information including venues and times, please visit the Ministerial Taskforce webpage at: http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/taskforce/ or phone the Taskforce Secretariat on (02) 9219 0702.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION MEETING

Monday 9 August 2010 6pm

Room 6B, Bay 8

Locomotive Street

 Australian Technology Park

Media City 8 Central Ave in the Australian Technology Park has been operational since January 2010.

 A community information meeting is being held so that local residents, ATP tenants and businesses can find out the latest information on the Australian Technology Park and the outcomes of the investigation of the parking options for the local area.

 ALL WELCOME

THe documents can be viewed at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Development/DAsOnExhibition/details.asp?tpk=974131

2.00pm – 3.30pm

• Welcome and Introduction - Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP        
• Meeting Facilitator - Lucy Cole-Edelstein, Director Straight Talk
  
• City of Sydney’s Submission on draft Concept Plan for Redevelopment of North Eveleigh Railyards by the Redfern Waterloo Authority - Michael Soo, Senior Area Planning Manager
  
• University of Sydney’s Campus 2020 Masterplan - Professor Richmond Jeremy,          Pro Vice-Chancellor (Campus Infrastructure Services), University of Sydney     
• Response to Submission - Steve White, Acting Executive Director, and Tony Brassil, Industrial Heritage Officer National Trust Australia (NSW)
  
• Response to Submission - Geoff Turnbull, REDWatch
  
• Question and Answer
  
• 3.30pm -   Close