National day of protest – Stop black deaths in custody

2 thoughts on “National day of protest – Stop black deaths in custody”

1. Pingback: Poem: Black Deaths In Custody – Workers BushTelegraph

2. Five people came to the organising meeting at Link Up in South Brisbane last Wednesday. Sam Watson summed it up:

   Had a great organising meeting last nite at Link Up and we are ready for Saturday!! It’s going to be a great day. Remember all those beautiful people whose lives were torn away from them in prison cells or in police vans or on watch-house floors. Think of all our grieving families who are still fighting for justice. No…t one kop has ever been jailed for a Death In Custody. Think of all those kops out there who have the blood of ur people on their hands. We must fight on!!
   SAM WATSON

   

   Nearly 200 people came out against Black-Deaths-in-Custody at rally in Queens Park on Saturday 13th November 2010. Saturday was almost exactly 18 years since we marched 2,000 strong in silence to protest Daniel Yock being killed by police in Brisbane.

   [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv3CWpoN6Y4]

   The rally was notable for its strong and varied speakers. It was led by Auntie Alex Gator and Sam Watson

   Peter Pyke, a former police officer and one time Labor member of parliament named some of the infamous bashers in the police force. It is a long list. Peter stressed that there were good and bad in the force.

   However this did not stop the ‘good’ coppers from helping Hurley beat the manslaughter charge for killing Mulrunji. They voted in their droves at police union meetings in Red Hill, Brisbane and eleswhere around the state.

   Nevertheless Peter Pyke had the courage to give us a rare insight into police mentality from someone who once stood ‘inside the tent’.

   He was thanked by acclamation by the crowd. (see picture below)

   

   Sister Nicole Clevens recited a poem about her people and their fight for justice and sovereignty.

   Adrian Birrugubba put a strong argument for Murri sovereignty – a unique identity. He spoke out against Gillard’s proposal to be included in the preamble of the constitution. His opposition was supported strongly by two speakers from the Githabul nation — south of the border. They spoke about how Australia is defined by its original people — they argued against using the term ‘aboriginal’ people encouraging us to refer to Murris as ‘original’ people.

   For workers who may not know ‘Murri’ means ‘human being’.
   It and other terms like Koori, Nunga are used by original inhabitants of the land.
   ‘Murri’ is the word for the original inhabitants where I live (in Queensland).
   

   

   

   

   More great photos from Owain Jones

   Great poster from Adrian and Linda

   

   NO MORE DEATHS IN CUSTODY
   NO MORE POLICE TASER MURDERS
   KOPS WHO KILL MUST BE CHARGED, CONVICTED AND JAILED
   WE WANT JUSTICE FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES
   WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE
   TO A DEATH IN CUSTODY!!

   ( all inquiries – Sam Watson & Rev. Alex Gator See poster for phone numbers )

   ‘Never ending War’ by Robert Wharton

   Ian Curr
   November 2010

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