Headlines//
Armenian activist N spoke with Priya earlier this week about the material links between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Israel, and through this about the connections between the genocides of Armenian and Palestinian peoples. This conversation draws a through-line between historical and contemporary genocidal processes being waged by Israel, Azerbaijan and Turkey, as well as touching on the long-standing presence of Armenians in Jerusalem. For further resources on the Armenian struggle, head to learnforartsakh.com.//
'Sunsets', performed live by Kee'ahn at Blak Stage on 30th of January. Blak Stage is Naarms longest running premier Open Mic night , run by and for First Nations people's. Kee’ahn is a First Nations musician from North Queensland whose name derives from the Wik word meaning to dance, and to play. Effortlessly blending the sounds of soul, R&B and pop throughout their music, Kee'ahn weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing. Blak Stage is organised by Deadly Events and happens every Tuesday at the Retreat Hotel in Brunswick.//
Tess, editor of Slingshot Books, joined Priya earlier this week to discuss the importance of making space on the publishing scene for disorderly, revolutionary and liberatory conversations with young people that disrupt status quo assumptions about the necessity of shielding kids from political complexity and radical perspectives. Tess worked as an editor for chidlren's publishing companies for a number of years before launching Slingshot Books, a tiny, radical children's publishing house based on Wurundjeri land. Pre-order Slingshot's first book, the hauntingly illustrated THEN AND NOW by Datsun Tran, here.//
Between Friday the 19th and Monday the 22nd of January, a community picket was put in place at Webb Dock in Naarm, Victoria. The picket was a peaceful anti-genocide action, established to prevent the transport of goods out of so-called Australia via Israeli freight company, Zim Shipping. This morning we welcome Brenna, the current Admin Coordinator for Melbourne Activist Legal Support to discuss serious concerns about policing at the peaceful protest. Brenna is a legal observer, with a background in education, organisational leadership, protest organising, and activist support. Melbourne Activist Legal Support is an all-volunteer organisation that provides training for protest movements, information & resources on the rights to protest in Victoria, and fields Legal Observer Teams that monitor and report on the policing of protest events. You can read their statement of concern here.//
Eelam Tamil activist and member of Tamil Refugee Council Renuga Inpakumar joins us to talk about Tamil Oppression Day, which falls on the 4th of February. This date signifies the handover of power from the British colonial government to Sinhalese leadership in Sri Lanka, heralding the beginning of 76 years of genocide of Eelam Tamils. The Tamil Refugee Council will be holding a demonstration this Sunday the 4th of February at 9AM outside the Sri Lankan embassy in Canberra - get along if you're in town. Renuga began her activist journey at the age of 10, speaking at various public speaking competitions drawing awareness of refugee rights by expressing the need to end indefinite detention and providing permanent protection to all refugees. Renuga is currently a Bachelor of Law/Arts student at Western Sydney University, and for years now has been organising to amplify Eelam Tamil issues including Tamil Genocide Day, Do not Deport to Danger, Palm Sunday Tamil Contingent, Tamil Oppression Day, and Boycott Sri Lankan Cricket.//
Songs//
Ancestor - Dobby//
Emily, Inez, Leila, Priya
