AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
WA: Grassroots activists boycott reconcilliation march
A number of long-time Aboriginal activists say they boycotted yesterday's successful
reconciliation march in Perth because they were passed over by organisers.
An estimated 50,000 people took to the streets of the West Australian capital to demonstrate
their commitment to reconciliation, co-inciding with a larger march in Melbourne.
Speakers and participants alike hailed the Perth march a triumph, saying the turnout
was inspiring and far bigger than expected.
But not all Aborigines were in favour, saying university-educated Aborigines appear
to have had precedence over grassroots activists.
Swan Valley Nyoongar Community elder ROBERT BROPHO says the march seemed more like
an assimilation than reconciliation march, and he and other members of the community
stayed away because they felt unwelcome.
Mr BROPHO says it's sad the march hadn't been attended by all Aboriginal people.
AAP RTV lk/sd/et
KEYWORD: RECONCILE WA (PERTH)
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