Brisbane Tent Embassy not backing down

QUEENSLAND: Protestors at a makeshift Aboriginal tent embassy are preparing to stand their ground despite being evicted from an inner-Brisbane park.

The “Aboriginal Sovereign Embassy” has been set up in Musgrave Park in South Brisbane for more than two months with permission from Brisbane City Council.

But embassy members say council on Monday gave them an eviction notice ahead of the Paniyiri Greek Festival to be held at the weekend.

Embassy member Boe Spearim says he and other protesters were given a 12 hour eviction notice on Monday afternoon, which is due to expire early Tuesday.

However, Mr Boe says embassy members have no plans to leave and are prepared to stay put even once police arrive.

“We are just exercising our sovereign right,” he said.

The tent embassy has issued a statement calling on supporters to call Brisbane City Council to show their support for the cause and to go to Musgrave Park as a show of solidarity.

“Supporters are urgently needed on the ground at Musgrave Park,” the statement reads.

Mr Spearim said organisers of the Paniyiri festival were supportive of their cause and it was only council that wanted them gone.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Musgrave Park had been closed so preparations could prepare for the Greek festival.

“I met with the protestors onsite on Saturday to listen to their views and personally informed them that they need to close their protest,” he said in a statement.

“The protestors have been there for more than two months and I think they have had a fair go but it is time to hand the park back to the Brisbane community.” -AAP