Draft:Black Peoples Union

The Black Peoples Union (BPU) is a revolutionary, Indigenous Australian political organisation founded in 2023. Black Peoples Union president Kieran Stewart-Assheton has said the organisation is "working towards building a pan-Aboriginal movement in Australia, so that we can fight for our self determination and our sovereignty".

Black Peoples Union garnered significant attention for the "progressive No" stance on the Indigenous Voice referendum, and have been involved in anti-colonial organising in support of Palestine.

2023
In February 2023, Black Peoples Union made their position on the Indigenous Voice referendum public. In an interview published by Sydney Criminal Lawyers, BPU president, Kieran Stewart-Assheton declared Indigenous Australians "must come together as one force capable of taking revolutionary action to forge our own path", and stated the Voice would "not only achieve no progress for us, but it will actually set us back", and "create the illusion of general consent across the broader Indigenous population" painting those who opposed the Voice as "radical outcasts in the eyes of the mainstream". The position taken by Black Peoples Union, and other grassroots organisations would later come to be known as the "progressive No" vote.

In March 2023, at rallies organised in Meanjin and Naarm, speakers from Black Peoples Union demanded “more than just a voice to Parliament” and called for the “formation of a Union of Indigenous Nations”.

In September 2023, members of BPU reiterated their on a a voice to Parliament, and encouraged "allies" to try "standing with us and actually listening to what we have to say".

2024
In January 2024, members of the Black Peoples Union were present at a pro-Palestine blockade at Port Melbourne Docks where a ship owned by the Israeli owned ZIM ship was scheduled to dock.

In January 2024 Black People Union were involved in the reestablishment of Camp Sovereignty in Kings Domain, alongside Robbie Thorpe, and Lidia Thorpe.

In February, the president of the Black Peoples Union, Kieran Stewart-Assheton, spoke at a protest in front of the office of Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts, urging supporters to take “material action” in the fight against Israel.