Image- ( The Koori History Website.2002)
We had a breakthrough today. We visited the town of Moree. In all honestly, I was very scared, as the racial tension is said to be very high there. We did the picket, but nobody much came around, and we all boiled, it was very hot. Then we went to the swimming pool. The manager refused to let the six aboriginals in and so we held up our posters and signs. After about 25 mins they let the boys in. Then Charlie arrived with a busload of 21 aboriginal boys and they had to be all let in. (Ann Curthoys diary, On aiatsis, n.d.)
However, during the protest,
anger evolved all around us, the town of Moree is by far the most racist town.
I have never seen such Antagonistic, hate-filled citizens. The manager was
aggressive and dirty mouthed. The
hostility seemed to be directed at us university student intruders rather than
the Aborigines.(Ann Curthoys diary, On aiatsis, n.d.) Rotten vegetables were thrown at us with pure anger and
racism. Poor little ones were terrified; violence was directed towards them as
well. But it was worth the horrific sight as the band has been lifted.
I just wish it went down in a less violent way. Now local Aboriginals have the
ability and right to swim there! We are all so excited; cheering erupted
throughout the whole bus as we left Moree. We are finally proving to Australia
that we deserve the same rights as the whites. We are now moving on to the town of Grafton.
Will keep you guys updated.
- Ann
References
The Koori History Website. (2015) from http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/indexb.html
References
The Koori History Website. (2015) from http://www.kooriweb.org/foley/indexb.html
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and
Torres Islander Studies. (2014). from
http://aiatsis.gov.au/collections/collections-online/digitised-collections/freedom-ride/ann-curthoys-diaries
National Heritage Places. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/national/moree-baths
