Big Marches Launched in Australia for National Reconciliation

Hundreds of thousands of people launched a big reconciliation march Sunday, December 3, in Melbourne, capital of Victoria state.

The march was aimed at addressing the chronic problem in Australia, namely the rugged relationship between the European settlers and aboriginal residents in the continent.

The Australian Associated Press AAP said in a report that organizers of the march estimated that up to 400,000 people were taking part in the rally, but police estimates cut the number by half.

Anyhow, the marchers "clogged inner Melbourne streets for more than five hours," the report said.

The reconciliation process in the country is stagnating because of a series of different viewpoints. The Howard government rebuffed the demand for apologizing officially for the past treatment by the whites toward the black Aboriginals and signing a treaty or contract between the two races.

From the federal government, Treasurer Peter Costello and Health Minister Michael Wooldridge participated in the march.

Premier of Victoria state Steve Bracks walked among the front marchers and reportedly said he regretted Prime Minister John Howard's absence.

"Each of these things is a step on the way to progress for the cause of reconciliation in Australia," Bracks commented.

Treasurer Costello also took a positive stand, saying, "I think it's just a case of people showing they're in favor of reconciliation. It's a statement. Statements are important."

The march was not only peaceful but also jubilant. It began with a performance by a group of young indigenous dancers and wound up with a massive concert and party, according to AAP.

A similar march was also launched Sunday in Perth, capital of West Australia state. According to AAP, the state's Premier Richard Court proudly marched alongside his adopted Aboriginal daughter Billie at the reconciliation march.

"It is a wonderful event and I am marching as not only the premier of this state but also as a West Australian committed to reconciliation," Court was quoted as saying.

Federal Labor leader Kim Beazley joined his parents in the reconciliation march.






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