Kumanjayi White: Alice Springs rally calls for cop to be ‘stood down’, tragedy almost strikes march
The family of a young man killed in custody have made their voices heard loud and clear at a rally in Alice Springs, which saw dozens march through the streets – and it almost end in tragedy.
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Tragedy has narrowly been avoided during a march through Alice Springs, where dozens have supported one family’s demand for cops allegedly involved in a death in custody to “stand down”.
Ten days after 24-year-old Kumanyaji White died in custody inside Alice Springs Coles, hundreds gathered on the Alice Springs courthouse lawns on Friday, before marching through Alice Springs and almost bringing the town centre to a halt.
Prior to the march, Barbara Shaw read out a statement on behalf of the White and Tasman families, where they called for the officers allegedly involved to be stood down.
“The family of Kumanjayi White are angry, heartbroken that another Warlpiri man has had his life taken while in police custody,” she said.
“Now that a criminal investigation is underway, the families call on the NT police officers involved to be stood down immediately.
Mr White was restrained by two off-duty police officers at about 1.10pm, and died 70 minutes later in hospital on Tuesday, May 27.
No charges have been laid, nor has a cause of death been determined.
The family’s latest statement echoed demands made on a flyer advertising the rally.
NT Police on Wednesday said they were investigating if “any criminality” was involved in the death.
On Friday morning, a police spokesman said “no one has been stood down in relation to this matter”.
“The NT Police Force are providing welfare support, alongside the NT Police Association, to the members involved,” they said.
“Investigations remain ongoing.”
A CLP government spokeswoman directed questions to the Police Commissioner.
“The community and police suffered when Labor ministers intervened, and we cannot be clearer; we are not following Labor’s path,” they said.
“We are following due process involving NT Police and the NT Coroner, which is underway.”
Other demands by the rally organisers include an independent investigation to take place, for CCTV of the incident to be released, and for police to “cease making statements” which “allege criminality and denigrate the character” of the man.
Once the speakers finished addressing the crowd, dozens gathered and marched through Alice Springs to deliver the flyers to Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne’s and Araluen MLA Robyn Lambley’s office.
Dozens of flyers were glued to Mr Burgoyne’s office.
When walking between the offices, a car appeared to speed through the crowd of marchers at the Gregory Tce and Bath St roundabout.
Alistar Early said he got in the leg by the vehicle, but aside from some soreness said he was all right.
Witness Jasmine Boyers said the vehicle came within meters of a pram, and the driver “maintained his horn” and he went through the crowd.
Marchers started hitting the car in a bid to get it to stop, she said.
Calls for an independent investigation have been previously ruled out by NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole.
Kumanjayi White was Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargrave’s grandson, and he sought an independent investigation immediately.
Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour, Amnesty International Australia, the Central Land Council, independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe, and lawyers from the National Justice Project – representing the family – have supported calls for an independent investigation.
National Justice Project principal solicitor George Newhouse previously indicated “all options” were on the table in obtaining CCTV footage.
A vigil was held on the steps of the Territory’s parliament in Darwin on Wednesday, which hundreds attended.
Kumanjayi White was under public guardianship and on an NDIS plan at the time of his death, with disability-support service provider Life Without Barriers confirming he was one of their clients.
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