SYDNEY, AAustralia.- The Aboriginal Senator Lidia Thorpe broke into the Australian Parliament at the end of the speech rey Carlos III to protest the indigenous rights of the country, who were dispossessed of their land with the arrival of the British in 1770.
“Give us back our land (…) what you stole from our people,” shouted independent senator Lidia Thrope, at the end of the speech at the Canberra Parliament of Charles III, head of state of Australiawhich is governed by a monarchical system with parliamentary democracy.
“Give us back our land (…) You are not our king”: Aboriginal senator Lidia Thorpe confronted King Charles III in Australia to protest for the rights of the country’s indigenous people, who were dispossessed of their lands with the arrival of the British in 1770. pic.twitter.com/8BGxrnE2IO
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The senator also blurted out: “You are not our king“, and condemned the “genocide” that was committed against the native peoples of Australiaas well as the looting of “bones, skulls” and the theft of indigenous babies, before being forced to leave the room.
Senator Thorpe, dressed in a traditional kangaroo skin, had also previously turned on her back when ‘God save the king’ was chanted in Parliament, in protest at the visit of Charles III and Queen Camillawho tour Australia and Samoa between October 18 and 26.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla tour Australia and Samoa
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla tour Australia and Samoa
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla tour Australia and Samoa
” data-image-caption=”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla tour Australia and Samoa
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” src=” alt=”Carlos III y Camila visitan Australia” class=”wp-image-2141696″ srcset=” 1024w, 300w, 768w, 1536w, 2048w, 1200w, 1568w, 2000w, 400w, 706w, 2340w, 370w” sizes=”(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px”/>
Thorpe’s intervention came shortly after Charles III gave a speech to hundreds of attendees, including the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanesein which he highlighted the “long and sometimes difficult path of reconciliation” with the indigenous people.
Australia is the only country in the Commonwealth (British Commonwealth) that does not have any treaties with its indigenous population, nor does it recognize them in the Constitution in force since 1901, when the former British colony became a federated state.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – who are of Melanesian origin and inhabit an island territory in the northeast of Australia) – are a group that represents 3.8% of Australia’s more than 27 million inhabitants.
They populated what is now known as Australia 65,000 years ago, until the British Crown declared at the end of the 18th century that this territory was uninhabited and relied on the concept of “Terra Nulis” (No Man’s Land) to claim possession.
Since then, these indigenous peoples have been victims of discrimination and reported mistreatment, in addition to having been dispossessed of their lands.
Although there has been some progress in the recognition of customary rights, there are still open wounds, including the ‘Stolen Generation’, which encompasses some 100,000 Aboriginal minors who were separated from their families between 1910 and 1970 and handed over for education to white families or institutions.
Added to this is the failure of a referendum held last year to create a body that would give indigenous people a voice in Parliament, among other problems of social and economic inequality.
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**Interview with Lidia Thorpe: Protesting for Indigenous Rights During King Charles III’s Visit**
*Interviewer*: Thank you for joining us today, Senator Lidia Thorpe. Your actions during King Charles III’s speech in Parliament have garnered significant attention. Can you explain what motivated you to speak out at that moment?
*Lidia Thorpe*: Thank you for having me. My motivation stemmed from a deep sense of injustice regarding the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous Australians. When King Charles addressed Parliament discussing reconciliation, I felt it was crucial to remind everyone present that reconciliation cannot occur without acknowledging the rights of Indigenous peoples and the injustices committed against us since the arrival of the British in 1770.
*Interviewer*: You shouted, “Give us back our land” and ”You are not our king.” Can you elaborate on why these statements are so important to you and your constituents?
*Lidia Thorpe*: These statements are rooted in our painful history of dispossession and genocide. The British Crown, which King Charles represents, has a direct connection to the systemic oppression of Indigenous Australians. By asserting that “You are not our king,” I was making it clear that Indigenous peoples have their own identities and sovereignty that must be respected, rather than overlooked in favor of colonial narratives.
*Interviewer*: During the speech, you turned your back when ‘God Save the King’ was sung. What message were you trying to convey with that gesture?
*Lidia Thorpe*: Turning my back was a symbolic act of protest against the monarchy’s historical role in the suffering of our people. It represents a refusal to honor a system that has perpetrated violence and dispossession against us. The act was meant to highlight that many Indigenous Australians do not identify with the Crown and its legacy.
*Interviewer*: You mentioned the lack of treaties and constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians. What steps do you believe need to be taken to address these issues?
*Lidia Thorpe*: It’s imperative that Australia establishes treaties with Indigenous peoples to recognize our rights and sovereignty. Additionally, constitutional recognition must be enacted to acknowledge our place in this nation. This would not only affirm our historical rights but also pave the way for genuine reconciliation and healing.
*Interviewer*: Your protest has sparked conversations about the Crown’s role in Indigenous rights within the Commonwealth. What do you hope the outcome of these discussions will be?
*Lidia Thorpe*: I hope these discussions will lead to meaningful action towards justice for Indigenous Australians. It’s vital for the Australian government to take accountability for past wrongs and work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to create a future where we are respected, recognized, and empowered to live on our ancestral lands as we see fit.
*Interviewer*: Thank you for sharing your insights, Senator Thorpe. Your passion for Indigenous rights and justice is clear, and we appreciate your time today.
*Lidia Thorpe*: Thank you. It’s important we continue to advocate for our rights and engage in these crucial conversations.