Calling on ALL supporters to join the Global Flag Raising for West Papua!

November 28, 2016

We are inviting you to join us to take part in what we hope to be the biggest Global day of action for West Papua so far. Each year we ask supporters to take photos of themselves holding the Morning Star flag in solidarity with West Papua and each year it gets bigger and bigger, evidence that the world is increasingly rising up and becoming aware to the situation in West Papua.

Scroll down for a list of global solidarity events  you can join and other ideas on how you can be a part of making history with us!.

The 1st December marks West Papua’s original independence day when the Morning Star flag was first raised in 1961 before being invaded by Indonesia. The flag is recognised as the national flag of West Papua and continues to be the defining symbol for a Free West Papua. Today it is illegal to raise this flag in West Papua and people who do face arrest, torture and long jail sentences. Former West Papuan political prisoner Filep Karma served 15 years in prison just for raising the flag on 1st December 2004.

Watch a promo video here:

The world is increasingly rising up in support of the West Papuan people, but with international  progress, Indonesia react with increased intimidation and brutality & there have been more arrests this year than ever before. Over 4000.
We remain concerned for the well-being of our brothers and sisters in West Papua this December who will take to the streets on the 1st & for the MSG on the 20th.

We need to show Indonesia that the world is watching.

You can do this by joining the largest global mass action for West Papua this December and by following these actions;

1) Send us a photo from wherever you are PLEASE join in and invite all of your friends and family locally, & around the world to do the same and then share the photos to facebook or twitter. We’d like to create map around the world of where the flag is being raised to build a truly global picture of the support for a Free West Papua. There’s a prize for the best!

If you don’t have a flag, make one, or you can simply print out this image.

2) Check-in to West Papua now on Facebook. Like the campaign for Standing Rock it’s a peaceful & powerful way to symbolise we are standing besides our brothers and sisters in West Papua.

3) Change your profile to the West Papua flag using this link. http://twibbon.com/Support/hut-free-west-papua#

4)We need to keep talking about West Papua now and throughout December. It is urgent that we shine a light on our brothers and sisters in West Papua.

Even if you have just 10 minutes to spare, help us to engage with media; human rights groups; people in the public eye and other solidarity campaigns . There are some useful links to short videos and articles for you to share at the bottom of this page, and plenty more on our website.

5) Use these following hashtags:
#LetWestPapuaVote
#WP4MSG
It is time for #Indonesia to #StopTheGenocide and #FreeWestPapua

Please copy and paste these above actions or go to our facebook page and share share share with everyone you know!

 

We encourage as many groups and individuals to take part on this day by themselves if they would like to, but there are also a number of events which are being officially already organised by solidarity groups worldwide.

Accra: http://tinyurl.com/hmlhvj8
Adelaide: http://tinyurl.com/j2nahdj
Auckland: http://tinyurl.com/gvfbbul
Ballarat: 10am, Camp St, in front of Trades Hall
Brisbane: http://tinyurl.com/hep8vmz
Castlemaine: http://tinyurl.com/zl3pcyn
Cape Town: Outside parliament

Darwin: http://tinyurl.com/joubkhe
Edinburgh: http://tinyurl.com/heh4rqu
Geneva: http://tinyurl.com/zdakz8g
London: http://tinyurl.com/jtuqjcw
Melbourne: http://tinyurl.com/gowlmos
Oxford: http://tinyurl.com/jtuqjcw
Sydney: http://tinyurl.com/hwtjdur
The Hague: http://tinyurl.com/hp3f2tc
Townsville: http://tinyurl.com/gsb3qns
Wellington (outside Parliament): http://tinyurl.com/hqontks
Wellington (outside Indonesian Embassy) http://tinyurl.com/gvebcor

We are also holding a competition for the best/most dramatic photo. Be imaginative and have fun by thinking of an eye catching or significant location or why not try to get as many people as possible all holding images of the flag in one photo. Last year there were 3 winners, who all won a Free West Papua poster signed by Benny Wenda.

 

For inspiration please see some of the previous flag raising photos below:

Message about the Global Flag Raising for West Papua’s freedom

http://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/west-papua-australias-neighbour-under-siege/
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/nov/02/100-bn-dollar-gold-mine-west-papuans-say-they-are-counting-the-cost-indonesia

Please add these to your twitter and facebook accounts to help people learn about West Papua;

TED talk by Jennifer Robinson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbkHkjg5Kac
Undercover documentary Forgotten Birds of Paradise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaGou3vB3A0

 

Finally, take a look at the latest famous face to add their support and use their voice to support freedom for the people of West Papua by raising the Morning Star flag! Massive thanks to renowned UK artist Akala for all his strong support and solidarity for West Papua’s freedom! Big up, respect!

Please join us and let’s keep West Papua solidarity strong throughout December.

Thank you.