Protesters arrested as police close down Heirisson Island protest camp

Police have arrested three people and issued six move-on notices as rangers removed more tents on a Swan River island.

The Nyoongar Tent Embassy protesters on Perth's Heirisson Island have been evicted by Perth Council and Police. (AAP)

The Nyoongar Tent Embassy protesters on Perth's Heirisson Island have been evicted by Perth Council and Police. (AAP)

Three people have been arrested on Perth's Heirisson island as authorities clear out backpackers and other campers who moved in after the Nyoongar Tent Embassy withdrew.

City of Perth chief executive Gary Stevenson claimed the Nyoongar protesters left the island some time ago and the remaining people are not associated with them.

Those currently camping include international backpackers.

This was contradicted by activist Gerry Georgatos who told the ABC there were 100 people on the island including families.

"This is an indictment on the city of Perth," he said.

"Heirisson Island was a homeless friendly safe space.

"There were 41 tents pitched there, there were a lot of large families who would otherwise be vulnerable on the streets."

After originally disbanding tents in early March, the council has moved waves of campers on and offered help to people who may be in need of accommodation.

Rangers removed more tents from the Swan River island on Thursday after campers refused to comply with multiple council notices to leave, and police arrested three people and issued six-move on notices.

Mr Stevenson says he has tried to talk with the latest group of campers but they only want to communicate on their terms.

Weeks of protests were held on the island in 2012 after a group of Aboriginal activists objected to the West Australian government's $1.3 billion native title offer to the Nyoongar people.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: NITV News

Share this with family and friends


Subscribe to the NITV Newsletter

Receive the latest Indigenous news, sport, entertainment and more in your email inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Interviews and feature reports from NITV.
A mob-made podcast about all things Blak life.
Get the latest with our nitv podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on NITV
The Point: Referendum Road Trip

The Point: Referendum Road Trip

Live weekly on Tuesday at 7.30pm
Join Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke to get unique Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge analysis on the road to the referendum.
#ThePoint