Melbourne rally in solidarity

Wednesday, April 27, 1994 - 10:00

Melbourne rally in solidarity

By Ben Reid

MELBOURNE — The national day of action against black deaths in custody on April 20 was marked here with a rally at the Queensland government travel centre. More than 100 people gathered to express their solidarity with the Queensland Aboriginal community.

Speakers alluded to the obvious failings in the inquiry and echoed the demand that charges be laid against the police involved. It was also pointed out that the Goss government, along with all other state governments, had failed to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Featured speaker Richard Franklin, an activist in the campaign against black deaths in custody, stated, "Questions need to be asked why charges against authorities in the Yock case, as in the 25 cases in the terms of reference of the royal commission, were not laid.

"Community inquiries into all deaths in custody, with realistic Aboriginal control and equitable representations of victims' families on committees, need to be established."

From GLW issue 140