Jim McIlroy, Brisbane
Some 1500-2000 Aboriginal people and their supporters rallied at the Roma Street Forum on December 11 and marched in solidarity with the Palm Island Indigenous community. The rally coincided with the funeral service on the island for Cameron Doomadgee, who died in police custody on November 19.
The demands of the rally included Stop Aboriginal deaths in custody!, Support the Palm Island Indigenous community! and Police off Palm Island now! The protest also called for the immediate release of all those charged over the alleged public disorder on Palm Island and for the charges to be dropped.
"Like [Aboriginal footballer] Michael Long, we are on a long march for justice", a representative of the Torres Strait Islander people told the crowd. "We have got to stop these black deaths in custody. Until we do, our people will always be victims of racist discrimination."
Prominent Aboriginal elder from Cherbourg Bertie Button said that "rioters" is a "white man's term. In reality, the Palm Island resistance fighters are heroes; they're the warriors in this country.
"Let's not forget the other victims of the violence of the system. This country is 'terrorist' towards the Aboriginal people. Let's not be silent — we've been silent too long."
Ray Jackson from the Redfern Aboriginal community in Sydney pointed out the similarities between the recent Palm Island case and the death of the young man in Redfern earlier this year. "First, there is a black death in custody, then an attempt is made to turn all the public sympathy to support of the police, instead of the victim and his family."
"In 1947, the government sent gunboats to Palm Island because the people there were fighting for human rights — not 'mutual obligation'", Aboriginal activist Wayne Wharton told the audience to loud applause. "Where's the 'mutual obligation' with Black deaths in custody? We must stand up and fight for our rights."
The rally was followed by a powerful march through the city through city streets to the Jagera Hall at Musgrave Park, stopping at various inter91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ for Indigenous dancing. While the march started off as a silent procession, later loud chants were taken up, demanding: "Stop Black deaths in custody now!" and, "What do we want? Justice!"
Shaun Newman reports from Townsville that up to 3000 people joined a march on December 9 for equality, peace and human rights, in memory of Cameron Doomadgee.
The peaceful march went past the Townsville courthouse, state government building and police station. The march was also supported by the movement demanding the repayment of stolen wages on Palm Island.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, December 15, 2004.
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