Last week the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy (RATE), a group of Aboriginal community activists opposed to current plans to develop The Block, were served with an eviction notice by the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC).
Redfern has been long associated with the Koori (Indigenous people from NSW) community.
The Pemulwuy Project is a $70 million, three-stage development to turn The Block into a modern Indigenous community.
So who is fighting whom?
On one side is the AHC, whose mandate is to gain approval to start the Pemulwuy project, a redevelopment of The Block. AHC Chief Executive Officer Mick Mundine told Fairfax last week that, "we have DA approval and it's going to happen." Mr Mundine added that, "They're [the protestors] on Aboriginal Housing Company Land. It is private land and they're trespassing."
RATE want a commitment that affordable housing be built as a priority. They say that if affordable housing isn't built straight away, the Aboriginal community will be pushed out and the area will become a haven for private development.
RATE refused to leave in February after being served with a eviction notice. They say they are committed to staying, even if they have to be forcibly removed. Elder Jenny Munro told Fairfax, "We will peacefully exercise our right to remain here. We will not move."