Thousands joined vigils and rallies across the country from June 4–8 demanding justice for Kumanjayi White, the 24-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man who was killed by police in Mparntwe/Alice Springs on May 27.
White is the 596th First Nations person killed in custody since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCADC) handed down its recommendations, and the 11th this year.
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The rallies were organised in support of the family’s demands for a fully independent investigation, the police involved to be stood down, release of CCTV and body cam footage and an end to the racist spin by police and the media.
White is from the same community, Yuendumu, where Kumanjayi Walker was killed by Zachary Rolfe six years ago. The coronial inquest report into Walkers’ death was set to be handed down in early June but was postponed to July 7 following White’s death, at the family’s request.
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Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman and independent Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe said “not a single person has ever been held accountable” for a death in custody.
“Right now, police are investigating themselves over Kumanjayi White’s death. The officers involved remain on duty — carrying on like it’s business as usual. We cannot accept this.
We must keep up the pressure on governments to act — and to listen to the family.”
Thorpe also called for the RCADC recommendations to be implemented in full.
“To Warlpiri mob and the Yuendumu community, we are fighting with you. To every family who has lost a precious loved one to the state, we stand with you. We will not stop fighting until there is justice.”
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Several speakers pointed out that no police officer in Australia has been held criminally accountable for the death in custody of an Aboriginal person.
"We're not after revenge, just a fair and fucking independent investigation," one speaker said.
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