Gunner tells Darwin Black Lives Matter protesters to stick to rules as NT Greens supports movement
DARWIN’S Black Lives Matter rally must abide by coronavirus safety rules Chief Minister Michael Gunner has ordered, though he declined to say if he will push for fines
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DARWIN’S Black Lives Matter rally must abide by coronavirus safety rules Chief Minister Michael Gunner has ordered, though he declined to say if he will push for fines.
It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday called for future Black Lives Matter rally attendees to be charged for breaking social distancing rules.
But coronavirus restrictions differ across the country, with Mr Gunner saying that in the NT crowds of more than 500 people could be allowed.
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“From my understanding the organisers of that event have lodged COVID-19 safety plans for (crowds of) 500 and over 500,” he said.
“I’m not sure if it’s been given the tick off by the Chief Health Officer but obviously if you abide by the rules, you can do that in the NT.
“Everyone needs to abide by the public health principles.”
Organised by Larrakia cousins Milima May and Sharna Alley, the rally has attracted significant interest, with about 800 people indicating they would attend and 900 more indicating interest.
Organisers have said anyone who is unwell should not attend.
“Safety of people is our first priority; safety from viruses and safety from violence,” Ms May said.
The NT Greens have thrown their support behind the protest, with Casuarina candidate Kendall Trudgen saying the NT was one of the worst jurisdictional offenders when it comes to imprisoning First Nations people at a disproportionate rate and deaths in custody.
In the NT a person is around 3 times more likely to be imprisoned if they are Indigenous, and we must not forget that in 2018 one hundred percent of NT children in detention were Aboriginal,” he said.
“These facts signify a broken and unfair system. The rally is an important means to show community support for this cause.”
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Darwin’s Black Lives Matter rally on June 13 will kick off at 10am at Civic Park with a welcome to country, smoking ceremony and a poetry reading.
The march will start from Civic Park, down Smith St Mall, Knuckey St and up Cavenagh St before ending back at the park.
While organisers have said they will have hand sanitiser available, attendees are asked to bring their own where possible.
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