Not a history (Part 2. -2007 -2018)
Just consisting of events in Sydney (and elsewhere) that I happen to attend and
had a camera and by no means exhaustive
Apologises to all other groups/events that took place elsewhere. 
More bits and pieces
Papuan voices toured in May 2013
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Part 3 2015-2017
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Rally outside Indonesian Embassy Canberra 27 Jan 2017
West Papuan supporters in Sydney protest durning Jokiwi’s visit to Sydney (26 February 2017).
Gathering outside the Channel 7 studies in Martin Place, supporters then marched to the Sydney DFAT offices and on to the Sydney Town Hall.
Speakers including West Papuan representative Lewis Prai spoke out about the Lombok Treaty, the military and the plundering of the resources of West Papua.
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Photos of West Papuan supporters at "March in March" rally
MARCH IN MARCH - STAND UP AUSTRALIA - 25 MARCH, 2017
Protesters came out in Sydney today (25 March) to send Malcolm Turnbull the people's message on all the issues of concern they have.
West Papuan supporters also joined in to fly the Morning Star flag and to raise awareness of the issue.
Sydney Palm Sunday rally for refugees 9 April 2017
Starting at Hyde Park North for speeches the large gathering marched through Sydney Streets to Circular Quay.
West Papuan supporters in Sydney also joined in with the large gathering of civil society organisations , churches groups etc.
MAPW has West Papua as a regional issue
Green Senator Lee RHIANNON (New South Wales) also attended the rally
Photos -An Inner West DENIM FEST To Free West Papua at Marrickville Bowling Club.
Congratulations to all involved
On behalf of Rex Rumakiak, the Free West Papua Campaign and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, I would like to thank Luke and all the musos from all the bands who gave up their time to help lift the roof of the Marrickville bowlo tonight, standing in solidarity with West Papuans at Inner West Denim for West Papua. To the management and everyone who came to see an awesome lineup of Bands, thanks for showing your support and wanting to do more for our closest neighbour. Ash Brennan - Free West Papua Campaign Australia
Photos of protest outside Indonesian Consulate in Sydney (2nd May)
A snap rally outside the Indonesian Consulate was called by supporters of West Papua in Sydney. The rally was in response to the brutal arrest of 200 West Papuans (many beaten) including a Jubi journalist in Sentani Jayapura.
On the 1st May in 1963 Indonesia took over the administration of West Papua from United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) and 54 years later the West Papuan people still continue their struggle for self-determination. Every year West Papuans commemorate and protest this tragic betrayal of the West Papuan people by the international community. The rally planned to commemorate (and reject) Indonesia’s takeover of West Papua was to take place in Sentani, Jayapura. However, the police arrived and destroyed a stage that had been set up for the rally. The security forces entered the KNPB secretariat and removed Morning Star flags and documents.
Supporters also called on the Indonesian Government to open West Papua to journalists. Its ironic that as Indonesia hosts World Press Freedom Day they are again cracking down on the West Papuan people, on their right to free speech and freedom of assembly. Rallies are being held around the world in support of media freedom in West Papua. Indonesia ranks 124 out of 180 on the Reporters Without Borders media freedom index.
Sept 17
Photos of Celebration of the 1 December 2017 in Port Vila.
And an amazing show of support by the Government and people of Vanuatu for West Papua
The West Papuan people received an early Xmas present when the Vanuatu Government handed over to the ULMWP Leaders attending their first ULMWP Summit in Port Vila, the title to the land and the key to a building for use in their struggle for self-determination. The ULMWP leaders were meeting at the Chiefs Nakamal in Port Vila durning the week. The ceremony took place on the afternoon of the 1st of December following a march from Fatumaru Bay to the building on the land where Crow’s Nest is. The Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Deputy Prime Minister Joe Natuman, Lands Minister Ralph Regenvanu, Parliamentary Secretaries Johnny Koanapo and Andrew Napuat, as well as the President of the Malvatumauri, the head of the Vanuatu Christian Council and local activists. A historiac day for the West Papuan people and an overwhelming show of support from the Vanuatu Government and its people for West Papua. Two articles from the Vanuatu Daily Post below covering the events.
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and Deputy Prime Minister Joe Natuman arrive for the celebration and
handover ceremony
Photos of newly renovated house which is quite large
Gathering for march
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Vanuatu Daily Post
HOME
HOME
By Dan McGarry 2 December
“We are all Melanesian,” said Deputy Prime Minister Joe Natuman. “We are family. We regard it as an obligation to help one another.”
Mr Natuman recounted the history of West Papua from post-WWII days, and remarked at the end that the struggle for independence was not only a struggle against colonialism, but a struggle against corporate and commercial interests too. “It’s not just Sukarno and Suharto, it’s also American big business that’s involved,” Mr Natuman said. “We’re not just fighting colonial powers. It’s big business too.”
This is the first time a senior figure in the Vanuatu government has publicly criticised the USA and its mining interests in relation to the issue of West Papuan independence. The nation’s sense of duty in helping to make all of Melanesia free was made manifest yesterday when the government of Vanuatu officially transferred the historic Crow’s Nest building to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua. The building will be shared with local creative collective Further Arts. Mr Natuman is a lifelong supporter of West Papuan independence.
He was the first speaker in the ceremony marking the official opening of the West Papuan mission in Vanuatu.
He was joined by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Lands Minister Ralph Regenvanu, Parliamentary Secretaries Johnny Koanapo and Andrew Napuat, as well as the President of the Malvatumauri, the head of the Vanuatu Christian Council and dozens of Vanuatu-based independence activists.
This week also marks the annual conclave of the ULMWP leadership, along with senior militants as well. Internationally known figures Octovianus Mote, Benny Wenda and several other independence leaders were also present. Some declined to be identified or photographed due to fear of retaliation by Indonesian authorities or their proxies. The day was nonetheless a happy one, and a few drops of rain were insufficient to quench the spirits of a movement that, for the first time in two generations, finally has a place to call home.
http://dailypost.vu/news/home/article_07997f25-c7aa-5973-8c07-23b13e113ac1.html
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http://dailypost.vu/news/gift-for-west-papua/article_b1ce23de-bc1e-5eb7-a973-b286d31c778d.html
Gift For West Papua
By Len Garae Dec 1, 2017
West Papua Leaders attending their first United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Summit at the Chiefs Nakamal in Port Vila this week, have said when the Vanuatu Government hands over to them the title to the secluded land and the key to the building on the land where Crow’s Nest is this afternoon, it is going to be the best thing that has ever happened to the West Papua struggle, to symbolize Melanesian blood that has flowed for freedom for the last 60 years.
Last week, three of the leaders spoken to by Daily Post could not hold back their joy and broke the news then quickly took it back saying the Government would have to be the one to break the news. MP for Port Vila and Minister of Land, Ralph Regenvanu explains, “The Council of Ministers has agreed to assist the ULMWP by providing a lease title on which is a newly-renovated office building which will become the Office of the ULMWP in Vanuatu.
“The lease title will be in the name of ‘ULMWP and Further Arts’, so they will be joint owners of the lease and building.
“Further Arts is a local charitable association which works to promote the arts and which has been assisting with the West Papua cause for many years.”
The handing over of the property on December 1 is significant because it is a day to remember the first raising of the West Papuan Morning Star flag 56 years ago.
Below is the programme for today that will see the Government of Vanuatu formally handing over the property to West Papuans and Further Arts.
• 2pm: Vanuatu dignitaries, West Papua Leaders, invited guests and general public gather at Fatumaru Bay.
• 2.30pm: Commemorative walk to Ceremonial Ground led by SDA Brass Band and Operasi Papua Merdeka (Military Wing)
• 3.30pm: Arrival at Ceremonial Ground and everyone seated
• 3.50pm: Flag Raising Ceremony and ‘Hai Tanaku’ Anthem
The keynote speech will be delivered by Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, followed by the handing over of the land lease title by Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and finally the handing over of the building keys to ULMWP and Further Arts by Land Minister, Ralph Regenvanu.
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Photos of ASEAN protests at Sydney Town Hall and Rohingya Community rally in Hyde Park
Raising the issues the ASEAN leaders should be talking about
Town Hall Sydney 17 March 2018
Photos of ASEAN protests at Sydney Town Hall and Rohingya Community rally in Hyde Park
Raising the issues the ASEAN leaders should be talking about
Town Hall Sydney 17 March 2018
Sydney Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees 2018
Large show of solidarity at Palm Sunday Rally including West Papuan supporters wearing many hats. The rally started at Belmore Park and marched along Broadway to Victoria park.
Photos May Day Rally in Sydney
Sunday 6th May
An inspiring Day
Commemorating 20 years since the Biak Massacre
On the 2 July in 1998, the West Papuan Morning Star flag was raised on top of a water tower near the harbour in Biak. Large numbers of people gathered beneath it singing songs and holding traditional dances. As the rally continued, many more people in the area joined in with numbers reaching up to 500 people. On the July 6 the Indonesian security forces attacked the demonstrators, massacring scores of people. The victims included women and children who had gathered for the peaceful gathering. They were killed at the base of the water tower. Other Papuans were rounded up and later taken out to sea where they were thrown off naval ships and drowned. No member of the security forces have ever been charged over the killings in Biak.
On the 2 July in 1998, the West Papuan Morning Star flag was raised on top of a water tower near the harbour in Biak. Large numbers of people gathered beneath it singing songs and holding traditional dances. As the rally continued, many more people in the area joined in with numbers reaching up to 500 people. On the July 6 the Indonesian security forces attacked the demonstrators, massacring scores of people. The victims included women and children who had gathered for the peaceful gathering. They were killed at the base of the water tower. Other Papuans were rounded up and later taken out to sea where they were thrown off naval ships and drowned. No member of the security forces have ever been charged over the killings in Biak.
Quite a bit of interest from people leaving cruise ship
Night Commemoration
Media release West Papuan National Flag raised in Sydney
30 November 2018
30 November 2018
The Australia West Papua Association thanks the Inner West Papua Council in Sydney for supporting the raising
of the West Papuan National Flag on its Leichhardt Town Hall today ,30 November at 9am. to commemorate the first official flying of the Morning Star flag on the 1st December in 1961. (Note Council closed Saturday 1st Dec.).
On the 1st December in 1961, the Morning Star flag (the West Papuan National flag) was flown for the first time officially beside the Dutch Tricolor. The Dutch were finally about to give the West Papuan people their freedom. However it is one of the great tragedies that at their moment of freedom it was cruelly crushed and West Papua was basically handed over to Indonesia in 1963.
Fifty-seven years later, the West Papuan people are still struggling for their right to self-determination.
Joe Collins of AWPA said "West Papuans continue to face arrest and torture simply for holding peaceful rallies to bring attention to the world the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule. Recent arrests of activists are to intimidate them into not talking part in activities to celebrate their national day".
One posting to facebook by a West Papuan reported that "Approaching the first of December, Indonesian army and police were dressed in plainclothes, backing militia groups carrying out intimidation and terror in Papuan student dormitories in Indonesia".
Photos March for International Humans Rights Day Sydney
March for International Humans Rights Day Sydney (9 December 2018)
Hosted by FIRE Fighting In Resistance Equally
Representatives and supporters from various campaigns joined with Aboriginal Peoples’ in the "Defence of Human Rights March in Sydney for International human Rights Day".
Human rights abuses against Aboriginal peoples are at a crisis point. More children are being forcibly removed than at any time in Australia’s history. The torture of black youth in the Don Dale detention centre in Darwin is happening across the country and examples of extreme police brutality and killings of Aboriginal people in custody are being exposed every week. These abuses are rooted in a continuing invasion and denial of First Nations sovereignty.
At the rally Aboriginal leaders were joined by representatives from other campaigns and marginalised peoples standing up against brutal human rights abuses by the Australian government and by various colonialist governments from around the world. It is the same government torturing refugees in offshore detention, persecuting Muslims, destroying the environment and denying social equity and trying to criminalise trade union activism in the building industry and beyond.Individual speakers' topics include:
People affected by fracking, West Papua, Brazil, Yemen., Palestine
Refugee advocates, Stolen Children, Children smuggling , Deaths in custody. Closing Juvenile Detention Centres
Women killed in domestic violence and Workers Rights being reduced.
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Hosted by FIRE Fighting In Resistance Equally
Representatives and supporters from various campaigns joined with Aboriginal Peoples’ in the "Defence of Human Rights March in Sydney for International human Rights Day".
Human rights abuses against Aboriginal peoples are at a crisis point. More children are being forcibly removed than at any time in Australia’s history. The torture of black youth in the Don Dale detention centre in Darwin is happening across the country and examples of extreme police brutality and killings of Aboriginal people in custody are being exposed every week. These abuses are rooted in a continuing invasion and denial of First Nations sovereignty.
At the rally Aboriginal leaders were joined by representatives from other campaigns and marginalised peoples standing up against brutal human rights abuses by the Australian government and by various colonialist governments from around the world. It is the same government torturing refugees in offshore detention, persecuting Muslims, destroying the environment and denying social equity and trying to criminalise trade union activism in the building industry and beyond.Individual speakers' topics include:
People affected by fracking, West Papua, Brazil, Yemen., Palestine
Refugee advocates, Stolen Children, Children smuggling , Deaths in custody. Closing Juvenile Detention Centres
Women killed in domestic violence and Workers Rights being reduced.
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