Justice for Jesse Deacon Rally

Around 100 people turned up to Sydney Town Hall on Gadigal Land this afternoon, to demand justice for Jesse Deacon, who was last year shot and killed by police when they were called to his public housing home after reports that he was self-harming.

Jesse’s mother, Judy, called for the NSW government to implement a health-led response to police handling situations involving people with mental health issues.

Judy Deacon was joined by Jesse’s sister and father, as well as the family of Courtney Topic, a 22-year old Sydney woman who was also killed by police during a mental health episode. Other speakers included Sam Lee, the police accountability officer from the Redfern Legal Centre, Sue Higginson from The Greens and a representative of City of Sydney Council Mayor ,Clover Moore. An Acknowledgement of Country was given by Kabikabi and Gurang-Gurang pastor, Ray Minniecon.

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Sunset Views from the Rooftop

This afternoon’s sunset was special. Photographs taken from the rooftop in Kings Cross.

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Free Palestine Portraits - Week 40

Portraits from the Free Palestine Rally, Week 40, held on Gadigal Land.

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Free Palestine Rally - Week 40

Photographs from the 40th consecutive weekly Free Palestine rally, held on Gadigal Land.

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Frank Yamma at the Chatswood Concourse Lounge

The Stiff Gins at the Chatswood Concourse Lounge

NAIDOC With The Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dance Group

Free Palestine Portraits - Week 39

In-situ portraits from Week 39 of the Free Palestine rally, Gadigal Land, Sydney, Australia.

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Free Palestine Rally - Week 39

Photographs from Sunday’s 39th consecutive weekly Free Palestine rally on Gadigal Land, Sydney, Australia.

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Free Palestine Portraits - Week 38

Portraits taken at last week’s Free Palestine rally - Week 38.

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Free Palestine Rally - Week 38

Photographs of the 38th consecutive weekly Free Palestine rally held on Gadigal Land, Sydney, Australia.

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Free Palestine Rally Portraits

Portraits taken at last week’s Free Palestine rally.

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Julian Assange Returns to Australia

Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks, touched down in Canberra, Ngunnawal Land, Australia, last night after being found guilty of espionage by the United States for publishing evidence of war atrocities committed by American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange and his supporters maintain that he pled guilty for the simple act of journalism.

Assange, flanked by his lawyers, Jennifer Robinson and Barry Pollack, and accompanied by the Australian Ambassador to the USA, Kevin Rudd and the High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, touched down at RAAF Fairbairn airbase at 7:30pm last night. He was warmly welcomed by his wife, Stella Assange and his father, John Shipton, along with a contingent of supporters who lined up at the perimeter of the airbase in freezing conditions. A large media presence was also on hand.

Assange was then whisked away to the East Hotel in Kingston, where a packed out press conference was held by Stella Assange, Jennifer Robinson and Barry Pollack.

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Free Palestine Rally - Week 37

Photographs from the 37th consecutive weekly Free Palestine rally on Gadigal Land.

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USYD Encampment Officially Closes

The pro-Palestinian encampment at USYD officially closed today, after the Sydney University Muslim Association (SUMA) announced that it had won concessions from the University’s executive on divest and disclosure demands in relation to research and trade with the arms industry, particularly in Israel. The announcement came this evening after SUMA earlier held a rally that finished with several speeches in front of the Quad Lawns at USYD.

The encampment was established two months ago and was reportedly the longest continually running pro-Palestinian university encampment in the world. SUMA was the last remaining group still maintaining a presence at the encampment after other groups decamped last week under increasing pressure from the University.

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Free Palestine Rally - Week 36

Eid Mubarak

Eid al-Adha falls this year on June 16th, marking celebrations after Muslims partake in Hajj — the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

This photograph was taken of a family on a day out in the late afternoon yesterday at Circular Quay.

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Portraits from the USYD Encampment

Portraits from the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Sydney campus on Gadigal Land, Sydney, Australia.

On Friday afternoon, the University management began removing tents and belongings from the encampment as they increase pressure to close the protest site down. Orange notices were stuck on tents, warning they would be removed by Protective Service Staff. One student had their tent confiscated along with their belongings, leaving a bare patch of grass in its place.

The encampment has been maintained at USYD for the last 54 days, one of the longest running pro-Palestinian university encampments in the world protesting against the research with and investment into Israeli military industries.

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Free Palestine Rally - Week 35

Thousands again turned up for the 35th consecutive weekly Free Palestine rally in Sydney, Australia, Gadigal Land.

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Free Palestine Rally - Canberra

Photographs from Saturday’s Free Palestine rally in Canberra, Kambri, Ngunnawal Land.

Around 250 people turned up to Garema Place to hear speeches from organisers from The Palestinian Action Group (Canberra), students from the ANU encampment, Amnesty International and healthcare workers.

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