Rally marks Redfern death

MELBOURNE — Eighty people rallied on the morning of February 14 to commemorate the 2004 death of Redfern teenager TJ Hickey and demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody. The crowd observed a minute's silence in memory of TJ, who was killed
while being chased by police. It also expressed its support for TJ's mother, Gail Hickey, who has lodged a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

The crowd chanted: "We support our sister Gail, justice for TJ, we must not fail."

The rally was co-chaired by Indigenous Social Justice Association member Alison Thorne and indigenous media worker Karen Minecon.

Speakers included Talgium Edwards, a member of the Stolen Generations and broadcaster at Koori radio station 3KND; ISJA member Cheryl Kaulfuss; Vickie Lee Roach, a member of the Stolen Generations and campaigner for prisoners' rights; Frank Guivarra, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service; and Sharon Firebrace, an activist with the Black Rights Action Group and Action for Aboriginal Rights.

From GLW issue 827