The Wire

Thousands of West Papuans have been killed since the Indonesian occupation began in the 1960’s. Their fight for independence has been a long and lonely one. But now Indigenous Australians are reconnecting their ancient links with the Papuans and marching north in solidarity. A contingent set out from South Australia a month ago, winding through Aboriginal communities on their way to Cairns, where they plan to sail in a “freedom flotilla” for West Papua. Today they were welcomed into Brisbane by the Aboriginal Sovereign Tent Embassy, while the Australian government kept its silence.