Black Lives Matter protests: Perth holds rally after George Floyd murder
Demonstrators in Perth gathered in the CBD, likening US police brutality to Aboriginal deaths in custody.
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Hundreds of people packed into Perth’s CBD yesterday to liken police brutality in the United States to Aboriginal deaths in custody.
The protesters held signs that read “We can’t breathe” and “400 plus deaths in custody”, and made reference to George Floyd, a black man whose death at the hands of police sparked widespread protests across the US.
“The system is broken. It’s broken in America, it’s broken in Australia, it’s broken in Western Australia,” one protester said into a microphone.
“People are saying they’re scared to leave their houses because of the riots. That’s how black people feel all the time,” said another.
Protester Rikisha Riley told the crowd of losing her four-year-old brother after he was hit by a car, which she said was driven by a prison officer, saying her family was “left to grieve”.
“I’m so proud I got to tell my story, and now it’s on the news, other people can hear my story,” she said.
The crowd kept a safe distance in accordance with social distancing measures, both while kneeling down and marching onto the road.
Protests have been planned across Australia against the misrepresentation of indigenous Australians in the legal system, as well as standing in solidarity with Floyd.
“Although Australia is far from where the murder took place, we have a voice,” the Sydney protest organisers wrote.
“We stand with Minneapolis and their people calling for a raise in the degree (of the murder charge).
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“Australia however, is not exempt from injustices faced for POC (people of colour) and the indigenous population.
“The social and economic impact of invasion, dispossession, marginalisation and control of the indigenous people has accumulated across generations, which has been further amplified by police and practices that have systematically disadvantaged indigenous people.”
The Sydney event was due to take place on Monday, but was cancelled due to reports that people “intended to wreak havoc and protest against the event”.
“This event was meant to be a time for Aboriginal voices to be heard, but due to uncertainty of safety for all involved, we would like to advise a cancellation of the protest.
“Safety is always priority, and it breaks the hearts of everyone involved to have to cancel this event.”
Before the event was called off, 1500 people had signed up to attend and 3900 people responded saying they were interested in attending.
Similar protests have been planned for the cities of Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne later this week.
It comes as the US has been engulfed in several days of protest over Floyd’s death.
He died last Monday when police were arrested him over the alleged use of a counterfeit $20 note.
Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on Floyd’s neck until he lost consciousness. The 46-year-old was pronounced dead in hospital less than an hour after leaving the scene in an ambulance.
On Monday the family released the results of an independent autopsy that found Floyd died at the scene from “asphyxiation from sustained pressure”. His family and legal team also called on protesters to refrain from violence and looting.
The visit comes as cities across the US have been rocked by protests that have turned violent in places, including Washington DC where the lights went out in the White House and graffiti was scrawled on national monuments.
Originally published as Black Lives Matter protests: Perth holds rally after George Floyd murder