There is serious concern and outrage after an alleged attack on Camp Sovereignty in Naarm / Melbourne, a second at the site of Indigenous protest and community gathering within 12 months, with police investigating the incident.
Gunai, Gunditjmara and Palawa person and Camp Sovereignty fire protector Ash Ni Mara was allegedly attacked on Sunday night. Ni Mara told the ABC two people arrived at the Camp in King's Domain on Sunday night, one filming and the other beginning to pull wood out of the fire before they attacked Ni Mara, who was dragged, put in a headlock and repeatedly hit.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said they are investigating the incident. They said a man and a woman allegedly assaulted a 37-year-old victim at Kings Domain at about 9.20 pm on August 2.
"The offenders then fled on foot," the spokesperson said.
"The victim, from Reservoir, was treated at the scene for minor facial injuries."
Camp Sovereignty founder Robbie Thorpe told the ABC it is a "real concern" and "disturbing" to see another alleged assault as a place of peace and culturally-significant site.
Established in 2006 by the Krautungalung Elder, Camp Sovereignty is a peaceful site for community gathering, reflection and ceremony, and is also the resting place of repatriated remains of 38 Aboriginal Victorians.
It comes less than a year after multiple people were charged following an attack, carried-out by members of a now disbanded neo-Nazi organisation.
View this post on Instagram
Guilty pleas were entered by four men involved in Victoria's County Court last week.
In September last year, thousands rallied across Australia on Saturday for the Sovereignty Never Ceded National Day of Action in response to the attack.
Victoria Police said they conducted patrols of the area following the weekend's alleged incident, but were unable to locate the alleged offenders, with the investigation remaining ongoing.
The spokesperson said the motive for the alleged assault will form part of the investigation.
"Police are patrolling the vicinity of Kings Domain and encourage anyone with information about this incident to speak to them or contact Crime Stoppers."
On Tuesday, Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell condemned "vile and racist attacks" on Camp Sovereignty.
The party said they stand in solidarity with Ash Ni Mara, those there at the camp and the First Nations community.
"We've seen vile and racist attacks on Camp Sovereignty, which are deeply disturbing. It's heartbreaking that First Nations people are being forced to relive this trauma so close to the anniversary of the violent neo-Nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty last year," Ms Sandell said.
"Camp Sovereignty is a sacred place of truth-telling, resistance and the survival of the oldest continuing culture on Earth. It is a place that brings people together, and one that so many in our community feel deeply proud of and grateful to be welcomed to share in.
Ms Sandell said "attacks like this do not happen in a vacuum" while raising concern for increases in division, racism and far-right extremism.
"Now more than ever do we need to come together and unite against fear, hate and division. To stand in solidarity with First Nations communities, to protect and strengthen Treaty, truth-telling and justice," she said.
