As eX-detainee refugees, in so-called Australia, we acknowledge that the land we seek protection on is the land of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples whose sovereignty was never ceded. ‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal land’.
For the 13th year running, RISE eX-detainees, the FIRST self-determined advocacy and welfare organisation in “Australia” governed and led by eX-detainees, is making a public statement, supporting the boycott of “Australia Day” aka Invasion day.
On behalf of the eX-detainee community, we continue to acknowledge Sovereignty was never ceded, and we stand in solidarity with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of “Australia”.
Indigenous communities have been the strongest and were among the first to show solidarity with those of us who arrived by boat and continue to do so consistently. We have witnessed this in many of their actions, including the granting of First nations passports to refugees seeking asylum in so-called Australia by boat. They have created safe spaces for the eX-detainee community to the best of their abilities, and we are always very thankful for that. Despite the fact that the eX-detainee community may not be visible as other allies on socials or in the media, we are always committed to fighting for justice on the terms set by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and nothing else.
The Australian government ‘funds’ organisations that “provide services” to migrants and refugees to organise some “Australia Day” events. We are all aware that many of these “community leaders and community members” are complicit with the white colonial institutions as residents in this colony. A large number of POC communities have staged “Australia Day” events which cannot be separated from genocidal, white supremacist ideology.
Any “Australia Day” propaganda events that compromise the sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be avoided by the humanitarian refugee community, and eX-detainee community. The great Australian lie and White propaganda has been spread throughout these lands since the day of invasion and periodically propagated to the refugee community by for example citizenship ceremonies and “multicultural” community gatherings, and celebrated on “Australia Day.”
Further, we eX-detainees urge members of our community, allies and supporters to amplify and donate where possible to self-determined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples-led movements and organisations.
In Solidarity
RISE eX-detainees
‘Nothing About Us Without Us’