home-background-20
Stop Black Deaths in Custody - South Sydney Herald
Sunday, January 5, 2025
HomeOpinionEditorialStop Black Deaths in Custody

Stop Black Deaths in Custody

Each time I see BLM initials I think of the generations before us who have paved the path to freedom. The Black Lives Matter movement resonates with First Nations, bringing to light systemic racism, police and prison brutality.

The recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sent ripples of anguish throughout Aboriginal families recalling the death of David Dungay Jr. at Long Bay in 2015, who cried out repeatedly, “I can’t breathe”, as six burly correctional officers deprived him of oxygen.

Safe and peaceful rallies in June and July have coincided with other BLM protests around the world. Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Families have joined together to promote awareness of inequalities in the system and gain justice for their loved ones who have died in custody at the hands of both police and correctional officers.

The rally in the Domain on July 5 saw thousands gather, including representatives from School Strike 4 Climate, the Maritime and Construction Divisions of the CFMMEU. Protesters took part in a smoking ceremony and demanded an end to the genocide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through incarceration and deaths in custody.

Families paid tribute to their loved ones by retelling stories so others might understand the pain they suffer on a daily basis ­– why, why, why did they take away their child? This alone is a difficult task, retelling and reliving the chain of events which led to the death of Mother, Father, Son, Daughter without receiving answers or ever seeing a single conviction laid on the authorities.

Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Families deserve justice and are requesting that cases be reopened, including cold cases, with independent investigations into each.

People are encouraged to attend events in the coming weeks, and details can be found on the Indigenous Social Justice Association website.

_______________

Faith Black is a First Nations woman and a descendant of the Batjala people, Fraser Island, and Meriam people of Merisle in the Torres Strait. She is a member of ISJA.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_img
- Advertisment -spot_img
- Advertisment -spot_img

Peace Prize awarded to the Movement

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Sydney Peace Prize, for courageous and highly regarded humanitarian work that serves our common humanity.

Learning to use AI responsibly and productively

A new online resource, co-designed by students and staff at the University of Sydney, shows how generative AI can be used productively and responsibly in assessment and learning.

Volunteers’ News – December 2024

Volunteers’ News – December 2024.

The Birdman of Glebe

GLEBE: Outside Le Petit Tarte Café and Patisserie, most days of the week, is Jethro and his lorikeet, Rosie.

Transforming a Redfern car park into affordable aged care

REDFERN: The City of Sydney is calling for expressions of interest to redevelop a council car park into a not-for-profit aged care facility for at least 50 older people.

Ambour Hardware – end of an era

It’s the end of an era for Redfern. After 55 years of serving the community, Joe and Marie Ambour, longtime owners of Ambour Hardware, are closing the doors.