Aborigines take to the streets to demand justice

COMMONWEALTH Games officials in Melbourne are bracing themselves for protests today as Aboriginal campaigners take to the streets demanding justice for Australia’s indigenous population.

Activists have dubbed the sporting event the Stolenwealth Games to draw attention to the land, language, culture and even children forcibly taken from Aborigines since Britain settled the continent in 1788.

Under the banner Walk for Justice, more than 1,000 campaigners are expected to march past Government House, where Queen Elizabeth II is staying during the games, calling on her to recognise the sovereignty of Aborigines who have populated Australia for at least 40,000 years.