Samara Laverty and Damian Crook hope the legacy of their son’s alleged murder will be change for good

Declan Laverty’s parents thanked the community for their ‘overwhelming’ support at the thousands-strong Darwin rally against crime, remembering their son’s legacy in the NT.

When Declan Laverty’s mum thinks about her son’s legacy, it is of the bursting love and devastating grief that lives on in her heart.

“He’s just there,” she thumps her chest. “Forever.”

But looking around at the thousands of people that turned up to rally against crime at Darwin’s Parliament House on Saturday morning, Samara Laverty knows her son’s tragic death has affected more than just their family.

“He made an impact today … his legacy will continue to hopefully support the NT,” she said.

“It’s hard for everybody, not just us, but we’re here — we’re here doing it.”

Declan Laverty and his mum Samara in 2016. Picture: Supplied.

Declan was only 20-years-old when he was allegedly stabbed to death while working at the Airport Tavern bottle shop last weekend.

His alleged murder sparked outrage in the community, many calling on the government to do more to improve community safety.

A review of bail laws and more policing powers were some of the measures announced by the Fyles government this week.

At the rally, Declan’s father Damian Crook, thanked the crowd and community for their support.

“To every single person here, people who can’t be here, the thoughts of everyone, thank you,” he said.

“I’m hurting, but so is everyone out there, in all their different ways.”

Mr Crook said he feared for Darwin’s future if crime was not brought under control.

“I love this place, and I’m hurting for Darwin, I really am — I’m worried that people won’t come here, I really don’t want that.”

There would be a long road ahead, Mr Crook said, dealing with the loss of Declan and the ongoing prosecution of his alleged assailant.

“You guys are going to be there all the way through this as well,” he told the crowd, many shouting out their support in return.

Mr Crook finished with a piece of advice for anyone arguing with a loved one: “Tell ‘em you love ‘em”.

Damian Crook embracing rally organiser Cobie Campbell. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Rally organiser Cobie Campbell read a letter written by Declan’s family remembering the 20-year-old as an “amazing person”.

“He could make us laugh so much, he was mature beyond his years, he could sit and just talk for hours.”

“He absolutely loves his dog Castiel, he loves his cats Cookie and Salem, he fought with his siblings, like only siblings can fight and be there for each other.”

The letter thanked the Darwin and wider community for their “overwhelming” support.

“We feel your love, we feel your care, we feel the impact that Declan has had,” it said.

Ms Laverty and Mr Crook asked that the ongoing investigative process into Declan’s death be respected, and “nothing done to jeopardise the fight for justice”.