Furore erupts after RSL member refuses to allow Indigenous flag at ANZAC service
A NSW woman had the police called on her after she attempted to drape an Indigenous flag honouring First Nations diggers at her local war memorial service in Lismore.
Cindy Roberts tried to display her flag beneath the Australian flag before the service began, but a local RSL member allegedly stopped her twice and called the police, according to the Daily Mail.
The incident has sparked outrage among those in attendance and online, with former Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell describing it as a “huge overreaction”.
“It wasn’t a huge protest in any way and was absolutely done respectfully,” she said.
“It was embarrassing and awkward and it should have just been allowed to pass without the fuss from the RSL member.”
Ms Roberts, whose daughter, grandparents and uncles have served in Australia’s armed forces, had taken part in the dawn service and the march to Lismore Memorial Baths for the ceremony.
When she arrived, the only flag flying was the Australian flag, despite other venues displaying the Aboriginal, Australian, and Torres Strait Islander flags side by side.
“I just wanted to remember my ancestors that had fought in every single war, including the frontier war,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
“So I stood and I felt a spirit in my heart tell me to just lay the flag out. I didn’t put it on the flagpole, I just placed it on the ground underneath the Australian flag.
“Then I was approached by a member from the RSL and asked to remove the flag.
“I said, ‘But my grandfathers and my uncles and my ancestors fought in the wars of this country’. He said, ‘This is not the time or the place’.”
“I thought, ‘Well, when is the time to bring unity?’”
Ms Roberts said she then picked the flag up and went to the spot where the wreaths were laid, where she was confronted again.
“Then (the RSL member) approached me again and told me to remove the flag again and with the police this time,” she continued.
“When this happened, I cried. I broke down and everyone saw me but I still stood there in the crowd behind the children with the Aboriginal flag.”
Ms Robert’s daughter Skye, who served as a ship technician in the Australian Navy for five years, was with her mother when the incident occurred.
Celebrated Indigenous soldier Clarrie Combo, who fought for Australia in Egypt, Libya, Crete, Syria, Greece, Sri Lanka and New Guinea during WWII, was one of Ms Roberts’ great uncles.
“Our people have been through so much and I’m tired of them not being acknowledged,” Ms Roberts said.
“First Nations people who fought in these wars deserve more respect because they put their lives on the line.”
Ms Dowell said she tried to reason with the RSL member and that she couldn’t understand why they were treating Ms Roberts.
“I saw the reaction from a member of the RSL who was saying repeatedly, it’s not appropriate, it’s not appropriate,” she told the publication.
“I didn’t quite know what was not appropriate. I thought it was very disappointing - and not one speaker in the whole ceremony even acknowledged country.
“I thought that was poor. The situation could have easily have escalated if Cindy had chosen to do so but she didn’t and many there may not have even noticed.
“I thought she was very respectful and hopefully we can all learn from this incident - and that it doesn’t happen again.”
The incident caused intense debate in the town’s Facebook group, with many supporting Ms Roberts.
“To the beautiful Indigenous woman advocating to raise the Indigenous flag today at the service following the march, I am beyond apologetic for the utter disrespect you were shown,” one local wrote.
Others insisted that the Australian flag should cover everyone since soldiers all fought under it in wartime.
“They fought under the Australian flag. We are all Australians,” one person said.
Image: Daily Mail