Adventures with Agitators is a tribute to the resilience, determination, patience and tolerance of the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders of Queensland.
In a series of short yarns about their battles in the justice and political systems, this book exposes the cruelty and hypocrisy of the ruling elite of Australia in pursuing policies of segregation and marginalisation.
While Australia pointed the finger at South Africa, it maintained the same policies for our Indigenous peoples.
The book is not a history, a biography or a legal or anthropological text. It is an easy read for those wanting to understand the recent past. The author has had the advantage of being privy to the tragedies and dramas of Indigenous people in this state, as well as their humour and
humanity.
The word “agitator” was applied politically and judicially to any of them who sought justice. In a celebrated High Court case involving Percy Neal, Justice Lionel Murphy opined that, without agitators, “there would be no advance towards civilisation”.
These are stories of the adventures of these brave agitators, to share with people of good heart.
Date: Saturday 23 February 2019
Time: 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Venue: Jaggera Centre, Musgrave Park, South Brisbane
RSVP by: 19 Feb 2019
Phone: 0424 537 282 or
email: paulrichards.brisbane@gmail.com
Presenters: Paul Richards and significant Indigenous achievers; guest appearances from musicians, including the legendary Chad Morgan, Lance O’Chin and Joe Geia
Books available for sale and signing by Paul at the venue. Order online now:
Paperback $39.95 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1922261289/ or
https://themoshshop.com.au/products/adventures-with-agitators-by-paul-richards (incl shipping)
Kindle/ebook $9.95 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/920758 or
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07N8XF6BR
Here is Aboriginal Legal Service lawyer, Paul Richards description of the Action Conference on Racism and Education, bringing together black and white radical activists from around the country:
“In the wake of the Springbok demonstrations, some university students began organising a conference on racism in about February 1972. Cheryl Buchanan was engaging with the University of Queensland student union in preparation for the conference.
During the open forum, Pastor Don Brady was invited to address the crowd of about two hundred people. As he was pointing out the desperate plight of Aboriginal people in all areas of life, such as housing, justice and health, the Black Panther Party came in along the side wall of the hall. Their all-black gear, the uniform of the American Black Panther Party, and all-black skin and Black Power salutes gave quite a shock to the student body. They just glared at the students.
But they did look stunning!
At the invitation of Pastor Brady, I then addressed the crowd, giving a brief message to the effect that if anyone with practical skills and abilities wanted to help work towards setting up a legal service then they could turn up at my house on the following Wednesday night for a planning session. Aboriginal legal services had already been set up in New South Wales and Victoria. It was urgently needed for Queensland.”
Richards, Paul. Adventures with Agitators . MoshPit Publishing.
Book Launch Date: Saturday 23 February 2019
Time: 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Venue: Jaggera Centre, Musgrave Park, South Brisbane
RSVP by: 19 Feb 2019