International Human Rights Day 2016, a photo from New South Wales, East

Photographer's Note

International Human Rights Day falls on 10 December every year. This is a photo I took whilst attending a 2,000 strong march in the streets of Sydney Central Business District. The young man you see is Nathan Leslie, a proud Gomeroi/Kamillaroi man who is singing up the cleansing fire. The young woman holding the microphone is Elizabeth Jarrett, a proud young activist and writer from the Gumbunggyirr/Dunghutti tribes. The man you see behind Nathan is Uncle Ken Canning, a poet and elder from the Bidjara Nation.

The march was led by indigenous people from all over Australia. Also participating in the march were Australians from all walks of life, Irish people, Cubans, Native Americans, Mapuche and indigenous people from Uruguay and Guatemala.

During the speeches, a refugee indefinitely detained by the Australian Government on Manus Island telephoned through to the crowd and thanked the people for their support of refugees and their protest against their inhumane treatment by our Government.

2016 has not been a good year for human rights abuses against our First Nations Peoples. To name a few:

* The killing of David Dungay jnr in Long Bay Gaol on 31 December 2015. Almost a year later, his autopsy has only just been released. His treatment by prison authorities is captured on CCTV footage.
* The killing of Wayne Fella Morrison in Yatala Prison in April 2016.
* The killing of Rebecca Maher in a police lock up in Maitland in August 2016. Ms Maher had neither been arrested or charged, yet was put into custody by police. In breach of the law, a lawyer from Legal Aid was never informed. Legal Aid were not informed of her death until a month later.
* The killing of Ms Dhu in a Western Australian Lock up in November 2014 gaoled for non-payment of fines, an inquest in December 2016 found no police to be culpable despite horrific CCTV footage showing the contrary
* The non-fatal shooting by police of Dennis Doolan in September 2016. Mr Doolan was surrendering, not under arrest and had his back turned to police at the time.
* The killing of Steven Freeman in the Alexander Machonochie Prison in May 2016. He died from untreated head injuries. Questions are being asked as to how those head injuries were sustained
* The systemic torture of Aboriginal children in the Don Dale Correctional Centre in the Northern Territory and other prisons. This included tear gassing, water canons, the illegal use of restraint chairs and spit hoods, aswell as physical and sexual assaults - much of which has been captured on CCTV footage
* The murder of Elijah Doughty in Kalgoorlie Western Australia in August 2016, deliberately run over by a white supremacist
* The rape and murder of Lynette Daley in 2011. Three years later, after public pressure, two men have finally been charged but were granted bail
* The murder of 3 children in Bowraville 23 years ago. After a deliberately bungled police investigation, only in December 2016 has the perpetrator been brought to court.
* Countless other black deaths in custody, which are being reported on an average of 1 every 3 weeks
* Over 20,000 Aboriginal children taken from their parents and placed into Care. The rate is 5 times higher than the height of the Stolen Generations

Despite what our government tells the world, the human rights abuses in this country are systemic and systematic. The fight against these abuses can be disillusioning at times, but can never stop

jemaflor, pajaran, danos, snunney, BennyV, ktanska, holmertz, Royaldevon, alvaraalto, Fis2, ourania, Cricri, cornejo, carlo62, abmdsudi, Tue, marabu61, kordinator, worldcitizen έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (146206) 2016-12-16 23:24

Hi Lisa,
Well taken with an impression of determination of these people, light and contrasts are well managed, tfs.

pajaran (114821) 2016-12-16 23:45

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad, lepo pokazani izvodjaci, dobar kontrast i ostrina, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak. Lepo pokazan trenutak sa medjunarodnog praznika dan ljudskih prava.
Sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Good day.
Beautiful view and the moment, interesting and good text ...
Good work, beautifully displayed artists, good contrast and sharpness, beautiful colors, beautiful moment captured. Nice moment with demonstrated international Human Rights Day holidays.
All the best for the weekend, good luck.

Silvio1953 (220495) 2016-12-17 0:50

Ciao cara Lisa, bella scena che illustra molto bene l'argomento e interessante nota, foto di gran qualitΰ come al solito, ottima nitidezza e magnifici colori, brava, un abbraccio Silvio

danos (110407) 2016-12-17 1:05

Ciao Lisa,
nice the snapshot from all those people that took place in the strong march in the streets of Sydney.As i see there are a lot of 'celebrities' in the scene.Excellent your informative note.

Regards,Danos

snunney (130967) 2016-12-17 1:34

Ciao Lisa,
Excellent capture of this animated and dynamic scene. Very well exposed with good colours and clarity. I fear that the onward march of so-called populism will not have a beneficial effect on human rights. Take care and have a great weekend.

ktanska (44446) 2016-12-17 2:15

Hi Lisa,
First thing that came to my mind was: I've only met civilized Australians, so how can this happen!
Another thing that made me wonder is that I don't remember any mention of International Human Rights Day in Finnish news. But the fact that we don't get much news from Australia doesn't surprise me.
Strong expressions with fists in the air, and mouth wide open. Efficient use of Aboriginal flag and it's colours.
Kari

No_One (4) 2016-12-17 2:15

Hi Lisa
Your passion shows through in both your note and your photo, this is an iconic moment and a powerful capture. We I learn about the abuses in Australia I wonder if one day we will look back to a photo like this and wonder of a different age and how strange the world was before everybody copped on. Congratulations to all on the March
Cheers
Noel

BennyV (34730) 2016-12-17 2:16

Hello Lisa

A picture that is LOUD, as it should be. Great postioning and posture of the two central characters. I like the tattoo on the woman's arm, the reflection int he man's sunglasses, the raised fists, only real pity here is that the one in the center is just outside of the frame.

Good informative note too. Whether its the shameful treatment of indigenous people, racism, discrimination or war...it's the same fight everywhere really.

One world.

Benny

holmertz (101930) 2016-12-17 6:25

Hello Lisa,
There is no doubt about the strong feelings of the persons in this intense and expressive photo, and the same goes for your long note. The Australian government's handling of human rights issues often surprises me (it shouldn't really by now). The situation is terrible in many parts of Europe, and there are political leaders who would prefer to keep all refugees out of sight in the North African desert, but as yet no refugees have been dumped on tiny islands where they can't get away. It is obviously a serious crime to try to avoid being killed in a war, or to be born with a darker skin.
Kind regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (85606) 2016-12-17 7:31

Hello Lisa,

I read your notes with interest.
This is news that does not filter through to the U.K.

The photograph is powerful.
There is no doubting the passion displayed by the speakers, whilst the common colours unite the group.
The close-up was a good decision, the speakers are in our face; further away, I feel, would have diluted the effect.

My best wishes,
Bev :-)

alvaraalto (42804) 2016-12-17 7:57

Hello Lisa
Fascinating action shop illustrating perfectly your excellent note.
It is good to pay attention to the International Human Rights Day on this site.
Excellent work
Have a good weekend
Groet Rob

Fis2 (169635) 2016-12-17 8:34

Witaj Lisa!
Excellent reportage shot.
Good frame and composition.
Very dynamic scene.
Well done.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

ourania (51103) 2016-12-17 8:34

Hello dear Lisa,
I like the spontaneity, intensity and true drama in your picture. For you every day is Human Rights Day and you are a true fighter for many just causes. The cases you mention in your note are a disgrace and hurt every civilized person, no matter how far. Besides doing your own work against discrimination and crime, you bring out the causes, the people and the atmosphere, the essence of the issues in an effective and touching way. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

Cricri (176) 2016-12-17 9:11

Hi dear Lisa
Une image d'actualitι, dont tu a bien saisi le moment trθs dιterminer de la foule et de ce monsieur s'affirment haut et fort, bonne note, prιsentation
bisous
cricri

cornejo (61504) 2016-12-17 11:32

Hello dear Lisa, very good picture of this interesting scene of a manifesto for justice, very well captured in this image with good clarity, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good day and happy start to the week.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
A cordial hug.
Angel.

carlo62 (81265) 2016-12-17 13:27

Ciao Lisa
purtroppo le lotte sono sempre molto lunghe e sempre deludenti, i risultati non si vedono per anni e anni, ma un giorno, di molti anni dopo, ci accorgiamo che qualcosa θ cambiato, non c'θ mai stata una vittoria, ma dei cambiamenti ci sono stati.
Un abbraccio
Carlo

lousat (138551) 2016-12-17 15:00

Ciao Lisa,queste sono le tue giornate preferite,quando la gente fa' casino per i diritti umani e non solo in quanto ti vedo molto attiva anche per le problematiche ambientali,una foto emblematica di grande impatto e ottima qualita'!! Buona Domenica e complimenti,Luciano

abmdsudi (95869) 2016-12-17 20:40

Hi Lisa
Thanks to your wonderful in depth write up guiding us thru, It's full of action and emotion and only appropriate to exercise their rights. Love shots like this when the photographer goes head on and mixes with the hustle and bustle of the crowds at demonstrations like this - no chance of a tripod mounted shot in the case!! To me this is a brilliant study of focused intensity, loads of drama with lovely range of expression as seen so close from your impressive pov dramatised by the stunning Black, Yellow and Red flag. Indeed a very powerful street photography and humanity subject that deserve attention. The message is bright & clear if 'they" can look and listen - a historical document in a way so emotionally blended together. A remarkable reportage photography, My compliments
Best wishes

Tue (91488) 2016-12-18 1:18

Hello Lisa,
An excellent photo reporting from this important day. You captured the mood of the march and the expressions on the people's faces very well. The accompanying note stresses the importance of this day.
Lars

iainsp (3298) 2016-12-18 2:42

Greetings Lisa,

This is a great piece of reportage photography - did your local newspaper not want it for their front page? It is a brilliant capture of Nathan - down to the visible tendons in his neck. There are four clear, unobstructed, interesting faces - which is not easy in a crowd scene. I like the inclusion of the man to the right of the frame who seems to be looking at the Stop black Deaths in Custody poster. The issues involved are very clearly important enough for security to get directly involved in taking part in the protest - which, perhaps, says it all. An important and deeply political shot. I love it. Iain.

marabu61 (11587) 2016-12-18 2:45

Hello Lisa
Another good picture from you with a strong message. I must say that I am quite shocked to hear about all that senseless killing of aborigine people in Australia. I always sought Australia to be a more civilized country. So sad that all that abuse is still going on not only there but all over the world. Just look at Aleppo these days ....! I am sure that future generations will hold us responsible for not having done anything to help prevent that.
Keep up the spirits
Daniel

kordinator (8738) 2016-12-18 6:32

Dear Lisa
Nice and very atmospheric mood on faces of those peoples.
A beautiful tribute to this international festival.
People are the wealth of this world.
Nevertheless there are many injustices around our planet, we must fight for our rights.
Excellent composed image.
Hugs
Saa

worldcitizen (15930) 2016-12-18 10:46

Hello Lisa,
This photo conveys determination: the open mouths, the raised fists. It's a strong documentary shot. I hope the activists will be heard, but history shows that human rights abuses around the world persist. It's sad that some people continue to oppress and harm others...

Photo Information

Copyright: Lisa DP (delpeoples) (60342)
Genre: Τοποθεσίες
Medium: Έγχρωμο
Date Taken: 2016-12-10
Categories: Τελετή
Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
Θέμα(τα): Indigenous Australia, Protest [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2016-12-16 18:14

Viewed: 1344

Points: 46

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