Australia - Justice for Mulrunji!

[chebol]

A bit late for the trial (which is now over except for the jury delivering it's verdict), but whichever way it goes there is gonna be trouble. The police union union has threatened to march on Parliament if Hurley loses. If he wins, you can expect lots of self-righteous cops in every aboriginal community in the country, provoking angry responses.

Mulrunji wristbands worn by Black rights activists at Hurley trial
Mulrunji wristbands

Hundreds of Aborigines and community supporters will wear bright yellow wristbands (pictured in link above) to the Townsville court next Tuesday when they gather to observe the trial of Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley who has been charged with the manslaughter and assault of Mulrunji Doomadgee in 2004 in the Palm Island watchhouse.

The wristbands are being worn to support the campaign for justice for all Aboriginal deaths in custody victims and as a direct counter to the decision by the Police Union to sell blue wristbands to raise funds for Hurley's legal costs.

"These wrist bands will be our way of showing the state police that we won't be intimidated nor silenced by police rallies and threats by police to march on state parliament," said Sam Watson, the national Socialist Alliance Indigenous spokesperson and endorsed senate candidate for Queensland. "We do not believe that it is appropriate that police should be allowed to wear those blue wrist bands in support of an officer charged over the brutal death of an innocent person who was in Hurley's custody when he died."

Mulrunji Doomadgee's death in the Palm island watch-house in 2004, led to a mass national campaign that culminated in two coronial inquests and a top level review of the Crown Prosecutor's decision not to charge Hurley over the death of Doomadgee.

"We will be at the court in strength to ensure that the jury and the witnesses will not feel intimidated or pressured by the huge police presence that has been promised by the authorities." Sam Watson said. "This matter must be decided on it's merits, and we call on those who are attempting to intimidate to step back and allow justice to prevail. The entire Aboriginal community and supporters of justice throughout Australia and the world will follow this trial very closely."

Hurley is the first officer to ever be charged over an Aboriginal death in custody in Queensland, and one of only a few cases in Australia. Where the police wristbands carry Hurley's badge number, the yellow "Justice Now!" bands carry the date of Mulrunji's death in police custody.

For information or interview, phone Sam Watson 0401 227 443
CURRENT MEDIA COVERAGE:

You can get your own band for $5 or $3 concession - for bulk orders of over 25 (we will accept $2 per band)at a Socialist alliance stall or from the Brisbane Activist Centre, 74b Wickham St, Fortitude Valley Ph: (07) 3139 1765; 3831 2644 Mob: 0410 629 088


A bit more background to the case.

[Bilan]

The pigs on a protest??!?!?!?!
Does that mean we get to beat their heads in this time!?!?!?
Anyway, on a more serious note: I hope there will be justice, but I doubt it will be any long term justice.
It's undoubtably clear on what the state thinks of Indigenous Australians - and Í can say, it isn't highly - and the po-po dont think much different.
We do have a racist government. Whatever the result of this, whether the pigs win, or the Indigenous people, there will be injustice.
If he doesn't get convicted, it will be a major blow to the struggle against black deaths in custody, and the racist prison system in general. If the cops lose...the results...well, lets just say, I dont think those racist-fucks are going to take it lying down, and dont doubt that they're not going to be shy using a bit of the ol'police brutality against supporters of justice for Mulrinji.

We'll have to wait and see, though.

[chebol]

Media Release - for immediate release
Wed June 20, 4:30pm


Hurley verdict a travesty for Aboriginal people
"Death of justice in Queensland"

"The acquittal of Snr-Sgt Chris Hurley - despite him admitting he caused Mulrunji's death, despite him changing his story, despite overwhelming medical evidence likening Mulrunji's fatal injuries to a high-speed car crash - is the lowest point in Australia's judicial system for Aboriginal people," said Aboriginal leader and Socialist Alliance Indigenous spokesperson Sam Watson, in response to the not guilty verdict in the manslaughter trial of Hurley.

"The police rallied around their own, fixed their story of 'a complicated accident', and the 12-member non-Indigenous jury agreed," Watson continued. "This jury decision has sanctioned the unlawful death of an Aboriginal person in police custody."

"The fact that the life an Aboriginal person was worth less than four hours consideration by the jury reinforces Townsville - named after one of the last slave owners Robert Towns - as a centre of anti-Aboriginal prejudice."

"We extend our sympathy and love to the family and community on Palm Island - they will need healing time. But around Australia, the Aboriginal community and non-Aboriginal supporters will rally and continue the struggle for justice. We make a promise to the family of Mulrunji and all families who have lost loved-ones in custody - Hurley and all police will be held accountable. There must be justice for all - whether you're born in Brisbane or on Palm Island."

"The Jury verdict ended one process, but the struggle for justice continues," said Watson.

An Indigenous rights demonstration planned to march on State Parliament at 1pm this Friday in protest at council amalgamations, will also take up the ongoing fight for justice for Mulrunji, with a minute silence for the 'death of justice in Queensland.'

Watson and other Aboriginal leaders have called for massive national protests on July 14, NAIDOC day.

"At end of day, all we ever ask is that those who are taken into custody come out alive, but in Queensland, this appears to be an impossible ask."

For information or interviews phone Sam Watson 0401 227 443 or Paul Benedek 0410 629 088.

[chebol]

responses (more to come)

Melbourne rally
Demand Justice for Mulrunji
Mourn for the death of justice in Queensland

Rally, Friday 22 June, 12:30 pm
Steps of the old GPO for a speak out and march to State Parliament

Wear black or Indigenous colours.

* Implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in Custody in full!
* Establish elected community controlled civilian review boards to hold the cops to account
* No justice on stolen land

Called jointly by Indigenous Social Justice Association – Melbourne and Socialist Alliance

For more information contact:
Cheryl: 0401-806-331
Sean: 0428-160-661
Land lines: 9639-8622 or 9388-0062


Brisbane Rally
TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER LEADERS AND ABORIGINAL LEADERS WILL MARCH ON PARLIAMENT HOUSE GEORGE STREET BRISBANE CITY

1PM ON FRIDAY 22ND JUNE

TO DEMAND THAT PREMIER BEATTIE MEET WITH ALL INDIGENOUS COUNCILS AND JUSTIFY THE NEW GOVERNMENT AMALGAMATIONS OF COUNCILS

WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE OUR LAND
WE DO NOT WEANT TO LOSE OUR CULTURE
WE MUST STAND AND FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS
AND FOR THE RIGHTS OF OUR CHILDREN

COME AND SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES
HANDS OFF OUR COUNCILS
PAY THE STOLEN WAGES
GIVE US BACK OUR DEPARTMENT
GIVE US BACK OUR MINISTER

MEET AT JAGARA HALL, MUSGRAVE PARK AT 11AM THEN MARCH TO GEORGE STREET

( all inquiries – Sam Watson 0401227443 )

[chebol]

**PLEASE CIRCULATE WIDELY**

*Demand Justice for Mulrunji *

**Mourn for the death of justice in Queensland**
Sydney Rally, Friday 22 June,
12:00 noon
Sydney Town Hall for a speak out, then march to State Parliament

*Wear black or Indigenous colours.*

* Implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal
deaths in Custody in full!
* Establish elected community controlled civilian review boards to hold the
cops to account
* No justice on stolen land

[chebol]

There will also be a national day of action on July 14. Watch this space.