Palm Island outcry over death in custody

Bill Mason, Brisbane

On November 22, more than 200 Aboriginal community members held a meeting and marched on the police station on Palm Island, off the north-Queensland coast. They were protesting the death in custody of local man Cameron Doomadgee on November 19. Doomadgee died in the police watch-house an hour after being arrested, allegedly for being drunk and disorderly.

That day a police car and the watch-house were reportedly damaged by rocks as anger grew over Doomadgee's death, fuelled by allegations that he had been beaten. The local police officer and an Aboriginal liaison officer were later taken off the island, and more police were flown in from the mainland.

Unrest increased on the island and on November 26 up to 300 people stormed the police station and set fire to it. Meanwhile, the Crime and Misconduct Commission has taken over the inquiry into the death in custody from police. The state coroner will convene an inquest.

From Green Left Weekly, December 1, 2004.

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From GLW issue 608