Lisa Macdonald, Sydney
Two years ago, Redfern teenager TJ Hickey was killed while being chased by police. A year later, a corrupt police brief (a large amount of evidence was not included) was presented to the NSW coroner, John Abernethy, for his adjudication.
Abernethy exonerated the Redfern police, and the Hickey family, the Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA) and other supporters have been campaigning ever since for the original inquest to be re-opened, or a new inquest held.
The ISJA is also campaigning for the police Community Liaison Officers, Paul Wilkinson and Derek Wilson, to be called to give evidence, in camera if necessary, and for Gail Hickey, TJ's mother, to be able to choose her own legal team so that her interests - and those of justice - are properly served, with all relevant costs to be met by the NSW government.
A rally to demand justice for TJ and all Koori kids will be held on February 14, the second anniversary of TJ's murder. The protest will gather at 11am at the fence-line where TJ died and march to the Goulburn Street police headquarters in the city. For more information, phone Ray Jackson from the ISJA on 0415 858 264 or email <isja01@bigpond.net.au>.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, January 25, 2006.
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