Thousands mourn Cassius Turvey at dozens of rallies across Australia
Dozens of vigils and rallies for Cassius Turvey are taking place across the country, with the key message to “remember his name”.
Thousands of Australians have gathered at rallies across the country to mourn and remember teenager Cassius Turvey, with calls for action after his death.
Dozens of events have taken place in a national day of action that called for “change in the name of Cassius”.
The 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy was allegedly bashed with a metal pole while walking home from school in Perth on October 13.
He suffered severe brain injuries and died in hospital 10 days later.
Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, has been charged with murder and will face court on November 9. He is yet to enter a plea.
A statement from Cassius Turvey’s mum being read out at the Sydney Town Hall vigil pic.twitter.com/NQDT6dCOoE
— Neve Brissenden (@BrissendenNeve) November 2, 2022
“It’s time to change, it’s time to make a difference to the lives of the Blak people who own this place,” one speaker at the event at Sydney Town Hall said to the thousands gathered.
“We won’t ever forget him, we want you all to remember his name.
“We have lost so many children ... the system has denied us too long, enough is enough. Make the change ... this is wrong.”
An emotional statement from his mother Mechelle Turvey was read out at some events, thanking those gathered for their “love and support” through this difficult time and calling for peace.
“I don’t want anymore violence. I’m the only person who can get justice for my son,” Ms Turvey said via speakers at the event.
“I need to call out for calm. I am angry, Cassius’ friends and family are angry, but I don’t want any form of violence at any of these rallies in the name of my child.
“Violence breeds more violence.”
At the Perth event, Professor Fiona Stanley paid tribute to Ms Turvey, saying she had been extraordinary.
“Your wisdom, love and humanity shows us the way. Could I have been as amazing as this woman who has just lost a child?” she said.
Speakers called for more to be done to address racism against Aboriginal people, with strong statements against WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch who faced fierce criticism over comments that Cassius was in the “wrong place at the wrong time”.
“Cops will tell us it’s his fault, that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” they said.
“No Blak child is ever, ever, ever in the wrong place at the wrong time on their own land.”
While speaking on 6PR radio station on Wednesday, Mr Blanch responded to criticism over comments made last week about the case.
“I’m not perfect,” he said.
“I now realise the impact of my words.”
“No child is in the wrong place at the wrong time in his own country†Heartfelt words for Cassius at tonight’s peaceful vigil in Sydney. A massive crowd to honour him, protest racism, and show solidarity. #CassiusTurveypic.twitter.com/gvXwRfWULv
— Julie Leask (@JulieLeask) November 2, 2022
Mr Blanch asked the public not to jump to conclusions over whether the incident was racially motivated.
“It may be a case of mistaken identity, it may be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said last week.
Returning to the station to respond to backlash over the comments, Mr Blanch reaffirmed that racism was not a focus of the investigation.
“Racism is a really important conversation, but let us also focus on justice for Cassius as a priority,” Mr Blanch said.
Anthony Albanese said he believed the attack was “clearly racially motivated”.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends of Cassius Turvey,” the Prime Minister added on Wednesday.
“This is a human tragedy.
“People are hurting and my heart goes out to them at this difficult time.”
More than 40 events in honour of Cassius are scheduled in every capital city as well as the United States and New Zealand on Wednesday.
A candlelit vigil was attended by Noongar elders – including Cassius’ family – on Monday night in Perth where thousands came together to commemorate his life.
Fifteen smoking fire pits representing each year of Cassius’s life were used in a smoking ceremony.
Mr Blanch attended in plain clothes — at the request of Cassius’ mother — to be there as a father rather than as the police commissioner.
He said he had spoken with the grieving mother and was impressed by her.
Cassius’s uncle Mark Kickett told the vigil that it was time for Australia to look “really deeply into our own souls”.
“It is now time for us to look really deep into our own souls and to have an understanding of what needs to take place if there indeed is going to be healing,” he said.
“It's time for the voice of Aboriginal, Islander and First Nations people to stand up and be heard and to be counted.”
Vigils across the country
Broome
- 6.30pm – Broome Courthouse, Hamersley St
Sydney
- 6pm – Sydney Town Hall, 483 George St, Sydney.
Wollongong
- 6pm – MacCabe Park, Wollongong.
Newcastle
- 6pm – Civic Park, Newcastle.
Canberra
- 6pm – The Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Canberra.
Melbourne
- 6pm – Aboriginal Advancement League, 2 Watt St, Thornbury.
Adelaide
- 6.30pm – Victoria Square, Grote St, Adelaide.
Brisbane
- 7pm – King George Square, 87C Roma St, Brisbane City.
Cairns
- 7pm – Cairns City Library lawns, 151 Abbott St, Cairns.
Darwin
- 7pm – Rapid Creek Bridge, Casuarina Dr, Rapid Creek.
Alice Springs
- 7.30pm – Alice Springs Court House, 10 Parsons St, Alice Springs.
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