We were lucky enough to interview the inimitable Dr Gary Foley at the 2024 Marxism Conference where he was a guest speaker. Gary is a living legend of the Aboriginal rights movement: he was a founding member of the Sydney Black Power movement and the Aboriginal tent embassy in Canberra in the 1970s.

Gary is a staunch supporter of Palestine, speaking at almost every Palestine demonstration in Melbourne since Israel’s war began, making the case for solidarity and resistance to colonialism, racism and capitalism.

As well as being an inspiring activist, Foley is an educator of the next generation through his writings and his archive of Aboriginal history, set to be the largest of its kind. 

Emma asked Gary about his life, about the importance of standing up to Gaza and the importance of conferences like Marxism as gatherings of the radical left. 

Further readings

Check out Gary's website here: https://www.gooriweb.org/

Gary Foley: ‘a direct and fiercely intellectual man’ by Tony Birch in Red Flag 

The 1971 Springbok tour protests- an interview with Gary Foley in Red Flag 

Don't miss out on the next radical conference near you: 

- Sydney Socialism Conference: 16-18 Aug

- Brisbane Socialism Conference: 23 Aug 

- Perth Socialism Conference: 10-11 Aug

- Adelaide Socialism Conference: 14-15 Aug