Black Peoples Union

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Black Peoples Union
AbbreviationBPU
Founded2022;3 years ago (2022)
Ideology
Political position Far-left
Colors  Black
  Yellow
  Red
Website
blackpeoplesunion.org

The Black Peoples Union (BPU) is an Australian-based revolutionary, Indigenous political organisation founded in 2022. According to former [1] president, Keiran Stewart-Assheton, the organisation is "working towards building a pan-Aboriginal movement in Australia, so that we can fight for our self determination and our sovereignty". [2] [3]

Contents

Black Peoples Union has been described as a national advocacy group, [4] and initially came to prominence for their "progressive No" stance on the Indigenous Voice referendum. [5] [6] [2] 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. [5]

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”. [14]

In September 2023, members of BPU reiterated their opinion on the Voice to Parliament and encouraged "allies" to try "standing with us and actually listening to what we have to say". [15]

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. [8] [16]

In January 2024, the Black Peoples Union was involved in the reestablishment of Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain, [17] alongside Robbie Thorpe and Lidia Thorpe. [18] [19]

In February, the former [1] 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 and declaring "any sort of terrorism that we might commit is justified resistance". [20]

References

  1. 1 2 "BPU announcement on change of governance structures". Black Peoples Union. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Maxwell, Rudi (July 23, 2023). "'Sovereignty never ceded' - more than a simple slogan". The Canberra Times . Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  3. ↑ Stewart-Assheton, Keiran (September 22, 2023). "We don't want reconciliation. We want a reckoning". Crikey . Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  4. ↑ McIlroy, Tom (September 15, 2023). "Why this Indigenous leader doubts the Voice". Australian Financial Review . Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Toomey, Jade (September 30, 2023). "Canberra Voice campaigners from both sides rally two weeks out from referendum". ABC News . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  6. ↑ Giannini, Dominic; Mitchell, Alex (September 29, 2023). "'Listen for a better future': music legend backs Voice". National Indigenous Times . Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  7. ↑ Mazza, Gerard (March 9, 2023). "Grassroots 'No' Campaign Calls for 'More Than Just a Voice'". Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Bliszczyk, Aleksandra (January 23, 2024). "Police Pepper Spray Free Palestine Protestors at Port Melbourne Docks". Vice . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  9. ↑ Smith, Kerry (June 1, 2024). "More than 1700 public servants condemn Labor for 'complicity in Palestinian genocide'". Green Left (Australian newspaper) . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  10. ↑ Evans, Duncan (October 1, 2023). "Black Peoples Union rallies to say No to the Voice". news.com.au . Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  11. ↑ Humphreys, Jordan (September 17, 2023). "Why the left should vote Yes in the referendum". Red Flag . Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  12. ↑ Gillies-Palmer, Zac (October 11, 2023). "If Australia's Voice Referendum Has a Chance, It's in Spite of the Labor Party's Campaign". Jacobin . Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  13. ↑ Gregoire, Paul (February 2, 2023). "We're Taking Back Our Land and Future, Says Black Peoples Union's Kieran Stewart-Assheton". Sydney Criminal Lawyers. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  14. ↑ Knowles, Rachael (March 7, 2023). "Here's what we know so far about the No campaigns". SBS News . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  15. ↑ Brancatisano, Emma (September 10, 2023). "Voice Referendum: How you can be a respectful ally to Indigenous Australians". SBS News . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Small, Jerome (January 23, 2024). "Labor's cops break up Palestine picket at Melbourne port". Red Flag . Archived from the original on September 4, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Indigenous activist Robbie Thorpe leads Camp Sovereignty at Kings Domain". News.com.au . January 31, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  18. ↑ Busch, Brittany (May 17, 2024). "Indigenous activist Robbie Thorpe leads Camp Sovereignty at Kings Domain". Herald Sun . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  19. ↑ Placella, Laura (May 17, 2024). "Robbie Thorpe quits court case against Melbourne City Council over extinguishing of sacred fire". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  20. ↑ Auerbach, Taylor; Markson, Sharri (March 4, 2024). "Radical pro-Palestinian group evades police crackdown after chilling footage emerges of 'terrorist' activists in Melbourne". Sky News Australia . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
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