On July 14 we, elders from the Ampilatwaja community, three hours north-east of Alice Springs, walked out of our houses and set up camp in the bush. We are fed up with the federal governments Northern Territory Intervention, controls and measures, visions and goals forced onto us from outside.
We felt we were an outcaste and isolated from all decision making – there has been no meaningful consultation....We therefore have no intention of going back there. We intend to stay here until our demands are met. We demand the federal government:
* Stop the NT Intervention
* Genuinely consult with us on any plans that will affect our lives now and for the future
* Reinstate the full Racial Discrimination Act without conditions or measures
* Fund housing and community development, not intervention
* Stop the compulsory five-year leases and restore Aboriginal land rights

Until these demands are met, we are asking for the help of trade unions and any other organisations to establish and maintain our new camp.

Speakers include:


Richard Downs, spokesperson for the Alyawarra elders
Reverend Aunty Alex Gater, Aboriginal Women For Change