Free Lex Wotton!

Aboriginal activist Sam Watson has called for major rallies in cities across Australia in response to Palm Island Aboriginal man Lex Wotton being found guilty on October 24 of "rioting with destruction".

Watson told the media: "[The verdict was] business as usual in the sovereign state of Queensland. Aboriginal people would be absolutely outraged. You have an all-white court — a white judge, white lawyers, a white jury — deciding on the merits of a case that involves very deep Aboriginal cultural issues."

"This is classic Alabama-style justice from the mid-'50s", Watson continued. "But the matter does not end here. They may think they've silenced the black community by jailing courageous leader Lex Wotton, but what they have done is light a flame that will burn a long time in the heart and soul of the Aboriginal community."

The Palm Island uprising occurred after 36-year-old Mulrunji was taken into police custody without charge, and was dead within an hour from massive internal injuries. Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, who faced charges only after a massive public campaign forced the Queensland government to act, admitted in court that he "must have been responsible" for the injuries, including Mulrunji's liver being cleaved in two.

However, the all-white Townsville jury acquitted Hurley, accepting that Mulrunji's death was caused by an "accidental fall".

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During the trial against Wotton, Officer Darren Robinson, who was a key witness in both the charges against Wotton and the acquittal of Hurley, admitted to lying in a previous serious allegation against Hurley. Robinson had said there were no witnesses to allegations by a Palm Island woman that Hurley had deliberately run over her foot, for which she had to be taken to hospital. Robinson later admitted to having the names of two witnesses in a police logbook.

Testimony from Robinson and other Palm Island police alleged that Wotton was wielding weapons, smashing police station windows and distributing tins of petrol.

Yet Wotton's barrister, Clive Steirn, accused Queensland police of "lying through their teeth" to convict his client.

"Not only was Lex Wotton never a part of any riotous assembly, he did his level best to stop the violence", Steirn said.

Watson concluded: "A white police officer admits he caused an Aboriginal man's death, yet he walks free. A black man, who can't be connected to anything except that he was on Palm Island on the day, is fitted up for jail. There is no justice for Aboriginal people within the courts of Queensland."

In Brisbane, a protest will occur on Saturday November 1, 12 noon at Queens Park, marching on state parliament. Ph Sam 0401 227 443.

From GLW issue 772