Protesters have marched throughout Australia calling for a “ceasefire” in Indigenous communities by disarming police.
Protesters throughout the nation have demanded an finish to armed police in distant Indigenous communities.
Saturday’s marches observe the March homicide acquittal of Northern Territory police officer Zachary Position after he fatally shot Aboriginal teenager Kumanjayi Walker, who was armed with scissors.
Forward of the protests, Warlpiri elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, from the distant High Finish city of Yuendumu the place Mr Walker died, mentioned police with weapons solely brought about worry.
Spend money on the journalism that made a distinction.
EOFY Sale. A 12 months for simply $99.
“We can not settle for that anymore. We don’t wish to really feel terrified in our personal ngurra, our own residence,” he mentioned.
Unions and different Indigenous leaders have backed the marches, with the Australian Providers Union’s South Australia and Northern Territory department pointing to the numbers of Aboriginal deaths in custody for the reason that 1991 Royal Fee.
“Over 500 First Nations folks have died in custody since then,” the union mentioned.
Protesters in Sydney carried pictures of people that had died in police custody and criticised the media’s protection of Indigenous points, together with internet hosting racist reader feedback on articles.
The “ceasefire” being referred to as for by protesters would come with defunding Northern Territory police, redirecting their funding to community-based companies and calls for for Mr Rolfe to face “customary legislation” in Yuendumu.
Elders additionally demanded an finish to any lingering powers from the 2007 Northern Territory intervention.
“This isn’t just for Warlpiri folks, that is for everybody. For all our First Nations peoples, our warrmala, it’s time for us to face collectively,” Mr Hargraves mentioned.
Marches have been held from Sydney to Perth, with protesters on Friday blockading a Brisbane facility of a weapons producer that provides the Northern Territory police.
Save this EOFY when you make a distinction
Australia has spoken. We would like extra from the folks in energy and deserve a media that retains them on their toes. And thanks, as a result of it’s been made abundantly clear that at Crikey we’re heading in the right direction.
We’ve pushed our journalism so far as we may go. And that’s solely been attainable with reader assist. Thanks. And in the event you haven’t but subscribed, that is your time to hitch tens of 1000’s of Crikey members to make the leap.
Peter Fray
Editor-in-chief
