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From the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to the creation of the Black Panther Party of Australia Sam Watson has been one of the leading voices in the struggle for justice for black Australians. In this posthumous and exclusive record Sam looks back on the street fighting years under the iron grip of the right wing Government of Jo Bjelke-Petersen in Queensland. He and colleagues like Dennis Walker were watched 24/7 by the Queensland Police Special Branch and had extensive files compiled on their personal and political lives by ASIO. Despite this attention Sam was integrally involved in the Tent Embassy, arguably the most significant political action undertaken in the struggle for justice. He and Walker set up the Queensland branch of the Black Panther Party of Australia and established the pig patrol, the breakfast programme and many other social enterprises aimed at giving Murri people control of their own lives. These efforts lead to the group being branded violent revolutionaries intent on armed struggle. Sam addresses these accusations head on and talks about the dramatic impact on his career and professional prospects that having security files had on his life. Sam's razor sharp mind, humanity and eloquence are all on show in this unique film. Directed by award winning filmmaker Haydn Keenan, Sam Watson - The Street Fighting Years is an unforgettable meeting with one of the leading fighters for Aboriginal Australia

Primary Title
  • Sam Watson The Street Fighting Years
Date Broadcast
  • Wednesday 27 September 2023
Release Year
  • 2020
Start Time
  • 19 : 30
Finish Time
  • 20 : 30
Duration
  • 60:00
Channel
  • Whakaata Māori
Broadcaster
  • Whakaata Māori
Programme Description
  • From the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to the creation of the Black Panther Party of Australia Sam Watson has been one of the leading voices in the struggle for justice for black Australians. In this posthumous and exclusive record Sam looks back on the street fighting years under the iron grip of the right wing Government of Jo Bjelke-Petersen in Queensland. He and colleagues like Dennis Walker were watched 24/7 by the Queensland Police Special Branch and had extensive files compiled on their personal and political lives by ASIO. Despite this attention Sam was integrally involved in the Tent Embassy, arguably the most significant political action undertaken in the struggle for justice. He and Walker set up the Queensland branch of the Black Panther Party of Australia and established the pig patrol, the breakfast programme and many other social enterprises aimed at giving Murri people control of their own lives. These efforts lead to the group being branded violent revolutionaries intent on armed struggle. Sam addresses these accusations head on and talks about the dramatic impact on his career and professional prospects that having security files had on his life. Sam's razor sharp mind, humanity and eloquence are all on show in this unique film. Directed by award winning filmmaker Haydn Keenan, Sam Watson - The Street Fighting Years is an unforgettable meeting with one of the leading fighters for Aboriginal Australia
Classification
  • M
Owning Collection
  • TV & Radio
Broadcast Platform
  • Television
Languages
  • English
Captions
Live Broadcast
  • No
Rights Statement
  • Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
  • Aboriginal Australians
  • Human rights--Australia
  • Race relations--Australia
  • Documentary films--Australia
Genres
  • Biography
  • Documentary
  • Politics
Contributors
  • Sam Watson (Subject)
  • Haydn Keenan (Director)
  • Haydn Keenan (Producer)
  • Gai Steele (Executive Producer)
  • Glenn Hanns (Director of Photography)
  • Haydn Keenan (Editor)
  • Smart St.Films (Production Unit)
Subjects
  • Aboriginal Australians
  • Human rights--Australia
  • Race relations--Australia
  • Documentary films--Australia