The Fryer Library has recently received a significant and generous donation from LeftPress of footage filmed in the 1982 protests for Aboriginal Land Rights, coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of these historic events.

Indigenous activists protested during the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, to raise awareness about Aboriginal land rights, particularly under Queensland's Bjelke-Petersen government. Important rallies were held in Davies Park, Musgrave Park, Roma Street Forum, as well as outside the QEII stadium, despite a ban on street marches and increased police powers to limit protests (Watson in Evans & Ferrier, 2004, 313).

Daisy Marchisotti, whose papers are now held in the Fryer Library, was one of the people arrested during the protests. A contemporary newspaper article recounts that despite her fear during the demonstration "because she saw what happened to people when they were arrested" Mrs Marchisotti "marched because it was the only way to change the law". ("Widow 78 Fined for Marching" Courier Mail, 9 Oct 1982, UQFL156, Box 4, Fryer Library, University of Queensland Library).

Many Fryer collections include material from the "Land Rights before Games" campaigns, such as ephemera from the UQ Aboriginal Land Rights Support Group, FAIRA, Black Protest Committee, The Ron Leeks Poster collection, and The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties.

Several events are currently commemorating the 1982 Land Rights Protests and the contribution made by activists in the struggle for Aboriginal Land Rights. The Queensland State Library's exhibition 'State of Emergency' will be on display at kuril dhagun from the 30th Sep 2012 until 19th Apr 2013 and the Sovereign Rights Tent Embassy in Musgrave Park have organised a weekend of events on the 5-7th of October.