Candle lit vigil for Mareeba man shot and killed by police ends at Queensland Police headquarters

A candlelit vigil for a Mareeba man shot and killed by police has ended outside the Queensland Police Service headquarters in Brisbane, with protesters chanting “justice for Aubrey” as well as “hands up don’t shoot”.

A candlelit vigil for a Mareeba man shot and killed by police has ended outside the Queensland Police Service headquarters in Brisbane, with protesters chanting “justice for Aubrey” as well as “hands up don’t shoot”.

The memorial for Aubrey Donahue, 27, the Mareeba man shot by officers on March 25, was hosted by Brisbane Aboriginal activists The Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) and the Brisbane Aboriginal-Sovereign Embassy (BASE).

The candlelight vigil started at King George Square at 6pm Thursday and, once finished, the protesters were asked to march the streets to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) headquarters on Roma Street in the city.

Aubrey Donahue death vigil at King George Square. Photo – Lyndon Mechielsen

The group was given a police escort as they stopped traffic and slowly marched in silence.

Earlier in the night, a large banner displaying the words “Justice for Aubrey” was held up by organisers and members of the public while another reading “Stop the War” was hung under the indigenous flag.

The vigil was marked with passionate speeches from both organisers and family members about police brutality and racism.

“You are meant to serve and protect, but from the beginning of time we have been serving and protecting each other,” vigil organiser Victoria Banchee said.

“You did not protect Aubrey last Saturday night,” Ms Banchee said.

Aubrey’s uncle Grayson, accompanied by other members of the family, gave an acknowledgment of country and spoke of his heartbreak about his 27-year-old nephew’s death.

“When we found out about this news my heart broke. Aubrey was loved. May the Lord welcome you with open arms,” he said.

Candles being lit for Aubrey Donahue at King George Square. Photo – Lyndon Mechielsen

A large police contingent, including Aboriginal Liaison Officers, also attended the vigil.

Protesters called for QPS to release video footage showing the shooting that led to the death of Mr Donoghue.

Crowds chanted “justice for Aubrey” as well as “hands up don’t shoot”.

A poster advertising the event had earlier been shared on social media by supporters and family members of Mr Donahue, including his aunty Jeanne Lyall.

One Brisbane-based relative of Mr Donahue said the vigil was being held in solidarity with the Far North community.

“Meanjin (Brisbane) mob – we need to show up for our Mareeba fam and for every other brother and sister, Aunty or Uncle who has been killed by this corrupt killing machine they call the Police,” she wrote.

Mr Donahue was shot and killed on March 25 after Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) officers and multiple police units were called to a Love St, Mareeba house following reports of a domestic violence incident. They allegedly found a man holding a woman hostage.

Police said he advanced on SERT officers while armed with a knife, before being shot dead.

Mourners earlier in the week demanded bodycam footage be released to prove Mr Donahue was armed when he was shot, leading to tense scenes in the Mareeba community.

It was later revealed police were not wearing any cameras.

Aubrey Donahue. Picture: Supplied

About 300 people gathered in front of the Mareeba Magistrates Court building on Hort St and the police station on Walsh Street to protest Mr Donahue’s death and the remand of his twin brother, Algen.

One elder in Mareeba said the community should focus on lessons to be learnt from the shooting and warned further unrest could result in another tragedy.

“We‘ve learned a lesson that could have been done in a better way. You call on indigenous elders or something for the community while the negotiation is on,” she said.

“Somebody from that culture to go in when they first negotiate you know, and they‘re more likely gonna surrender” she said.

Another Mareeba woman said the community had co-ordinated a meeting on Thursday afternoon.

“How are we going to move forward? I don‘t know how that is yet. At this point, we all come together, and we’ll come up with something,” she said.

Police outside the home where Aubrey Donahue was shot. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Police have promised a full and independent investigation into the shooting, which is being conducted by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner, with oversight from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

– With Jodie Munro O’Brien

Originally published as Candle lit vigil for Mareeba man shot and killed by police ends at Queensland Police headquarters