Black Peoples Union Explained

Black Peoples Union
Colorcode:black
Abbreviation:BPU
Position:Far-left
Colors: Black
Yellow
Red
Website:blackpeoplesunion.org
Country:Australia

The Black Peoples Union (BPU) is an Australian based revolutionary, Indigenous political organisation founded in 2022. The organisation is "working towards building a pan-Aboriginal movement in Australia, so that we can fight for our self determination and our sovereignty".[1] [2]

Black Peoples Union has been described as a national advocacy group,[3] and initially came to prominence for their "progressive No" stance on the Indigenous Voice referendum.[4] [5] [6] Black Peoples Union held multiple rallies across Australia during the lead up to the referendum,[7] and have been involved in anti-colonial organising in support of Palestine.[8] [9]

Despite Black Peoples Union's stance of "revolution no reconciliation",[10] the group received criticism from other left wing groups, for their stance on the referendum.[11] [12]

History

2023

In February 2023, Black Peoples Union made their position on the Indigenous Voice referendum public. In an interview published by Sydney Criminal Lawyers, BPU president, Keiran Stewart-Assheton declared Indigenous Australians "must come together as one force capable of taking revolutionary action to forge our own path", and stated the Voice would "not only achieve no progress for us, but it will actually set us back", and "create the illusion of general consent across the broader Indigenous population" painting those who opposed the Voice as "radical outcasts in the eyes of the mainstream".[13] The position taken by Black Peoples Union, and other grassroots organisations would later come to be known as the "progressive No" vote.[14]

In March 2023, at rallies organised in Meanjin and Naarm, speakers from Black Peoples Union demanded “more than just a voice to Parliament” and called for the “formation of a Union of Indigenous Nations”.[15]

In September 2023, members of BPU reiterated their opinion aa voice to Parliament, and encouraged "allies" to try "standing with us and actually listening to what we have to say".[16]

2024

In January 2024, members of the Black Peoples Union were present at a pro-Palestine blockade at Port Melbourne Docks where a ship owned by the Israeli owned ZIM ship was scheduled to dock.[17] [18]

In January 2024 Black People Union were involved in the reestablishment of Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain,[19] alongside Robbie Thorpe, and Lidia Thorpe.[20] [21]

In February, the president of the Black Peoples Union, Keiran Stewart-Assheton, spoke at a protest in front of the office of Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts, urging supporters to take “material action” in the fight against Israel.[22]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'Sovereignty never ceded' - more than a simple slogan. The Canberra Times. 5 June 2024. Rudi . Maxwell . 23 July 2023. 5 Jun 2024 . https://archive.today/20240605145445/http://web.archive.org/web/20240205051625/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8279778/sovereignty-never-ceded-more-than-a-simple-slogan/.
  2. Web site: Stewart-Assheton . Keiran . 22 September 2023 . We don't want reconciliation. We want a reckoning . https://archive.today/20230922071749/https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/09/22/voice-to-parliament-reckoning-not-reconciliation/ . 22 September 2023 . 4 September 2024 . Crikey.
  3. News: McIlroy . Tom . 15 September 2023 . Why this Indigenous leader doubts the Voice . live . https://archive.today/20230915033525/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/why-this-indigenous-leader-doubts-the-voice-20230913-p5e4c6 . 15 September 2023 . 4 September 2024 . Australian Financial Review.
  4. News: 30 September 2023. Canberra Voice campaigners from both sides rally two weeks out from referendum. ABC News. Jade . Toomey . 5 June 2024.
  5. Web site: Giannini . Mitchell . Dominic . Alex . 29 September 2023 . 'Listen for a better future': music legend backs Voice . https://archive.today/20240904084743/https://nit.com.au/29-09-2023/7895/listen-for-a-better-future-music-legend-backs-voice . 4 September 2024 . 4 September 2024 . National Indigenous Times.
  6. Web site: Maxwell . Rudi . 22 July 2023 . 'Sovereignty never ceded' - more than a simple slogan . 4 September 2024 . Australian Associated Press.
  7. Web site: Mazza . Gerard . 9 March 2023 . Grassroots 'No' Campaign Calls for 'More Than Just a Voice' . live . https://archive.today/20240904084250/https://www.ngaardamedia.com.au/news/no-campaign-pushes-for-more-than-a-voice-to-parliament . 4 September 2024 . 4 September 2024.
  8. News: 23 January 2024. Police Pepper Spray Free Palestine Protestors at Port Melbourne Docks. Vice. Aleksandra . Bliszczyk. 5 June 2024.
  9. Web site: Smith . Kerry . 1 June 2024 . More than 1700 public servants condemn Labor for 'complicity in Palestinian genocide' . 4 September 2024 . Green Left (Australian newspaper).
  10. Web site: Evans . Duncan . 1 October 2023 . Black Peoples Union rallies to say No to the Voice . https://archive.today/20240904091939/https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/black-peoples-union-rallies-to-say-no-to-the-voice/news-story/00132127ca7ef73283b2705fd1baaca2 . 4 September 2024 . 4 September 2024 . news.com.au.
  11. Web site: Humphreys . Jordan . 17 September 2023 . Why the left should vote Yes in the referendum . 4 September 2024 . Red Flag (newspaper).
  12. Web site: Gillies-Palmer . Zac . 11 October 2023 . If Australia's Voice Referendum Has a Chance, It's in Spite of the Labor Party's Campaign . https://archive.today/20240904092223/https://jacobin.com/2023/10/australia-voice-referendum-labor-party-albanese-aboriginal-constitution . 4 September 2024 . 4 September 2024 . Jacobin (magazine).
  13. Web site: 2 February 2023. We're Taking Back Our Land and Future, Says Black Peoples Union's Kieran Stewart-Assheton. Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Paul . Gregoire . 5 June 2024.
  14. News: 30 September 2023. Canberra Voice campaigners from both sides rally two weeks out from referendum. ABC News. Jade . Toomey . 5 June 2024.
  15. News: 7 March 2023. Here's what we know so far about the No campaigns. SBS News. Rachael . Knowles . 5 June 2024.
  16. News: 10 September 2023. Voice Referendum: How you can be a respectful ally to Indigenous Australians. SBS News. Emma . Brancatisano . 5 June 2024.
  17. News: 23 January 2024. Police Pepper Spray Free Palestine Protestors at Port Melbourne Docks. Vice. Aleksandra . Bliszczyk. 5 June 2024.
  18. Web site: Small . Jerome . 23 January 2024 . Labor's cops break up Palestine picket at Melbourne port . https://archive.today/20240904083929/https://redflag.org.au/article/labors-cops-break-palestine-picket-melbourne-port . 4 September 2024 . 4 September 2024 . Red Flag (newspaper).
  19. News: 31 January 2024 . Indigenous activist Robbie Thorpe leads Camp Sovereignty at Kings Domain . News.com.au. 5 June 2024.
  20. News: 17 May 2024. Indigenous activist Robbie Thorpe leads Camp Sovereignty at Kings Domain. Herald Sun. Brittany . Busch . 5 June 2024. 31 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240131012407/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/indigenous-activist-robbie-thorpe-leads-camp-sovereignty-at-kings-domain/news-story/4d963459519a0d92a06f12e215f9711c?amp&nk=024d7ab90ae51ed26f4f22f1b60c083a-1706664254.
  21. News: 17 May 2024. Robbie Thorpe quits court case against Melbourne City Council over extinguishing of sacred fire. The Daily Telegraph. Laura . Placella . 5 June 2024. 5 Jun 2024 . https://archive.today/20240605152047/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/victoria/robbie-thorpe-quits-court-case-against-melbourne-council-over-extinguishing-of-sacred-fire/news-story/091661728553a11ba0b6e85a6e95ccbc?amp&nk=4726fb96a9ee3022b49cf3f344082cda-1717600867.
  22. News: 4 March 2024. Radical pro-Palestinian group evades police crackdown after chilling footage emerges of 'terrorist' activists in Melbourne. Sky News Australia. Taylor . Auerbach. Sharri . Markson. 5 June 2024.

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