RACISM CLAIM AFTER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SPIT MESS
GAMES protesters have had one final clash, this time with locals who criticised their campsite mess at The Spit yesterday.
Angry residents, who would not give their names, called the Bulletin to complain about the remnants of campsites – including bedding, crates and plastic containers – left behind.
“Where are they? It’s a total disgrace – what, they’ve finished protesting, and they’ve just walked away from it for someone else to pick up,” one said.
But protesters were working yesterday to ensure the mess was cleared up by the afternoon.
“Stolenwealth Games’’ protest organiser Wayne Wharton and fellow members were quick to slam those “whingeing before asking questions”.
“If they bothered to have a look around anywhere on the Gold Coast, you’ll see any number of (Games) sites that still haven’t been cleaned up,” Mr Wharton said.
“I think the people that have made issues about the camp are flat-out racist bigots that have nothing better to do than wanting to create problems for us.”
Police liaison officer Matt Mills oversaw the camp for the duration of the Games.
“On the ground here it was peaceful, there was no alcohol, no fighting, no drugs, they just took it back to the grassroots of the indigenous people,” Mr Mills said.
A clean-up group on site yesterday when the Bulletin visited said they were waiting for the appropriate trucks and additional helpers to assist with the clean-up process.
“There’s about five of us, that’s all it takes, made a big effort over the past few days,” Mr Wharton said.
“Why do we have to put up with racism? The complaints that come about the camp still being cleaned up is that they just can’t wait to kick black fellas in the guts.”