The NSW Freedom Ride of 1965 was a controversial event that played a major role in promoting the civil rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With quite simple aims and very basic methods, the Freedom Riders caused a stir across Australia, leading to many short and long term implications on both the white Australian and ATSI population. The Rides empowered both ATSI and white Australians to take a stand against discrimination, protect equality and foster the process of reconciliation. Although it helped benefit the ATSI peoples however, the Freedom Ride was still a highly debated affair that generated both praise and criticism throughout Australia. The Australian Freedom Riders began their journey through rural NSW with
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As the Ride began, the Freedom Riders adopted a principle of passive resistance, intending to demonstrate via peaceful picketing in any situation or to any group which practiced racial discrimination . This method of protest, also commonly referred to as civil disobedience, was one clearly demonstrated at the Walgett RSL where Aboriginals – even ex-servicemen – were not allowed membership . In an excerpt from an Australian Geographic article, written by Freedom Rider Ann Curthoys, Curthoys tell how “we displayed protest banners and Charlie addressed a huge crowd. ” Peaceful protests were not always successful however, as shown by Ann in the same article where she states that “heated arguments between the students and the local whites followed and later, during the middle of the night, and in a volatile situation, we left. ” Another method employed by the students was the taking of surveys from both ATSI people and white Australians . From the surveys, the Riders were able to conclude the extent to which the Aboriginal people were being disadvantaged in each area therefore allowing them to make a decision on what action to take. Amongst the Freedom Riders however was Darce Cassidy, an arts student who was also a part-time reporter for the ABC. His own vivid recordings of the 1965 Freedom Ride weren 't broadcast until 1978 but the continual use of media throughout the rides allowed the riders to capture on tape important events such as the vice-president of the Walgett RSL Club stating he would never allow an Aboriginal to become a member. Such evidence of racial discrimination was played in the living rooms of Australians with the evening news, exposing an endemic racism and shocking viewers who then put mounting pressure on the government to instil change . The Freedom Riders employed the use of a variety of different methods in order to
As the Ride began, the Freedom Riders adopted a principle of passive resistance, intending to demonstrate via peaceful picketing in any situation or to any group which practiced racial discrimination . This method of protest, also commonly referred to as civil disobedience, was one clearly demonstrated at the Walgett RSL where Aboriginals – even ex-servicemen – were not allowed membership . In an excerpt from an Australian Geographic article, written by Freedom Rider Ann Curthoys, Curthoys tell how “we displayed protest banners and Charlie addressed a huge crowd. ” Peaceful protests were not always successful however, as shown by Ann in the same article where she states that “heated arguments between the students and the local whites followed and later, during the middle of the night, and in a volatile situation, we left. ” Another method employed by the students was the taking of surveys from both ATSI people and white Australians . From the surveys, the Riders were able to conclude the extent to which the Aboriginal people were being disadvantaged in each area therefore allowing them to make a decision on what action to take. Amongst the Freedom Riders however was Darce Cassidy, an arts student who was also a part-time reporter for the ABC. His own vivid recordings of the 1965 Freedom Ride weren 't broadcast until 1978 but the continual use of media throughout the rides allowed the riders to capture on tape important events such as the vice-president of the Walgett RSL Club stating he would never allow an Aboriginal to become a member. Such evidence of racial discrimination was played in the living rooms of Australians with the evening news, exposing an endemic racism and shocking viewers who then put mounting pressure on the government to instil change . The Freedom Riders employed the use of a variety of different methods in order to