A crowd gathered outside NSW Parliament on Thursday to support Gomeroi Ngiyampaa musician Jayden Kitchener-Waters, who says he was blocked from performing at a government event because of political messages on his guitar.
The 25-year-old works as a Community Engagement Officer with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and had been invited to perform at the Premier’s Department Public Service Awards last week.
But he says he was told he could not go on stage unless he removed messages from his guitar including “No pride in genocide” and “Free Palestine”.
Kitchener-Waters had been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to perform a song he composed for his niece in her native language at an event that, according to him, had historically overlooked Aboriginal languages.
“On the night, two Premier’s Department staff approached me in the green room,” he told NITV.
“One of them I had been speaking to for months and she said she loved the song I was going to perform. Then they told me I couldn’t go on stage because of the messaging on my guitar.”
He said the department objected to the word “genocide” in particular.
“The messages on my guitar, like ‘No Pride in Genocide’ and ‘Free Gaza,’ really struck a chord with me,” he explained. “The term ‘genocide’ in particular was flagged as being overly political.”
During a demonstration outside the NSW Parliament, Kitchener-Waters showcased his guitar, which was emblazoned with various phrases, including “No Pride in Genocide.”
Kitchener-Waters expressed that his advocacy for Palestine is rooted in a profound understanding of shared struggles and the collective resilience of different lands and peoples.
Protesters gather outside NSW Parliament with signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Public Servants Against Genocide.”
“What happened to him is a gross injustice,” Huggins said.
“I’m calling on the New South Wales Premier to ensure Jayden’s employment is in no way threatened, and for an apology to be offered to him.”
Kitchener-Waters’ father, poet Rob Waters, also addressed the crowd, praising his son for standing up for truth.
“Extremely proud. Jayden has stood for what he believes in, even if he stands alone. Our younger ones, our grandkids, can look up to him and see what’s possible,” he said.
“Babies are being attacked, people are being starved – there is no justification. Palestine will be free. Always was, always will be.”
A Premier’s Department spokesperson said the department’s code of conduct requires staff to act “impartially, apolitically and professionally” and that it would be inappropriate to comment on individual staffing matters.
Kitchener-Waters is currently suspended from his role at the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust.
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