*Content Warning: This episode of Doin' Time may contain audio images and descriptions of Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people who have died.
First up on the show, Marisa speaks with Nicole Lee (President of People with Disability Australia), about the anti-trans rally and counterprotest held outside Victorian Parliament last weekend. Standing in solidarity with the trans and gender-diverse community, they condemn the hateful transphobic vilification on the day by transphobic far-right activists and the neo-nazis who were also present. They also discuss the behaviour of police on the day, discrimination, and the urgent need to tighten anti-vilification laws for the safety of all.
Next, Marisa speaks with Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition about the refugee and anti-war rallies planned for Palm Sunday, 2nd April 2023, demanding permanent visas for all refugees and also saying no to war, specifically in response to AUKUS and Australia's $368Bn nuclear submarines. A list of rallies around the country is included below.
Finally, Marisa speaks to Keiran Stewart-Assheton, Wani Wandian man and President of the Black Peoples Union, talking about their aims for Indigenous unity for the power to enforce sovereign rights, which will also ultimately benefit the wider working-class. He provides examples of the myriad ways in which government continues to oppress Indigenous peoples with ongoing divide-and-conquer tactics, and challenges in talking sovereignty as the right wing co-opts communal terms to individualistic ends.
Importantly, Kieran gives a comprehensive critical analysis of the proposed Voice to Parliament and the BPU's non-conservative no campaign, pointing to the historical establishment of dozens of synonymous "representative" advisory bodies, and the notorious toothlessness of similar institutions around the world, discussing how to meaningfully plant the seeds of which "our kids and grandkids can bear the fruit".
Links to Palm Sunday Rally Events discussed on this program, Sunday 2nd April 2023:
VIC
Melbourne 1:30pm, State Library Victoria
Wonthaggi 2pm, Wonthaggi Mine Whistle (Apex Park)
Bendigo 12.30pm, Bendigo Library Gardens
Ararat 2pm, Alexandra Gardens (meet at the cafe)
Ballarat 2pm, View Point Lake (Wendouree)
ACT
Canberra 1pm, Garema Place
NSW
Sydney 2pm, Belmore Park
Lawson (Blue Mountains) 2pm, outside Catholic Church Somers St, Lawson
Newcastle 1pm, Civic Park (King Street)
Wollongong 2pm, Wollongong Town Hall
Griffith 10:30am, Kooyoo St Mall (Griffith) - N.B. This event is for Saturday 8th April
NT
Darwin 5pm, Nightcliff Jetty (Nightcliff)
QLD
Brisbane 1pm, King George Square
Townsville 4pm, meeting at The Rockpool, then walking to Gregory Street Amphitheatre
Sunshine Coast 1pm, Tesch Park, Coral Street, Maleny
SA
Adelaide 2pm, Mukata (Hindmarsh Square)
TAS
Hobart 11am, Parliament Lawns (Hobart) - N.B. This event is on Saturday 1st April
WA
Perth 1pm, St Georges Cathedral
Marisa