Saturday’s ‘Freedom March’ in Byron Bay, promoted on social media, does not have the support of Bundjalung woman Delta Kay or the local police.
Ms Kay told Bay FM’s Community Newsroom that traditional custodians of Bundjalung lands object to the event’s promotion, particularly the usage of the Aboriginal colours on their poster, along with the term ‘freedom’.
‘When I saw the event flier I was really concerned that the organisers were being untruthful [as] to the reason why they were meeting on our traditional homelands here in Byron because [of] the usage of the Aboriginal colours on their poster and also the term ‘freedom’ which is a really big word for black people who have been fighting oppression for many, many years.’
Still ‘No’
Some are claiming event organisers now have permission from indigenous custodians to proceed. Delta Kay has again said: ‘NO, NO, NO’ and has been asked to notify Bay FM and The Echo herself of any change in this position.
Not approved
Byron police say they have not and won’t be approving the planned event and if it goes ahead it will be an‘illegal gathering’.
Others have traced origins of the event’s promotion on social media and have found direct links between it and misappropriation of images associated with recent #BLM protests.
The event is being promoted through various social media groups on the Northern Rivers.
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