Like many of you, we have been unable to turn away from the events that are happening in America, while being reminded of parallel ongoing injustices right here.
We watched in horror as George Floyd died at the hands of police. We bear witness as the Movement For Black Lives’ brave stand for justice and liberation is met with escalating police violence.
This is a global problem. Our system of policing and detention continues to target Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. First Nations people are the most incarcerated people on earth and around 14 people continue to die in police custody each year.
Since the Royal Commission into deaths in custody was handed down in 1991, 432 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in police custody. There have still been no convictions for these deaths. This has to end.
“100% of children in detention in the Northern Territory are Aboriginal. This is so sad and not right. We need to help our kids, not harm them. We need to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 yrs to at least 14 yrs.”
Margaret Anderson, Dujuan’s grandmother
In this moment of outrage we commit again – and invite our audience to commit with us – to act on the daily threats and racism faced by First Nations people.
It is nearly 30 years since Australia ratified the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child. Yet we still do not have a national strategy or measures to ensure the implementation of appropriate protection of children’s rights.
Here are some things that you can do right now:
Donate to Children’s Ground. Dujuan’s grandmothers are working to empower future generations in First Nations led education. They work tirelessly to fight racial and colonial injustices in this country.
Donate to Children’s Ground and support First Nations led education.
Write to your Attorney General and urge them to raise the age of criminal responsibility. 10 year old children should never be in jail.
Take Action To #RaiseTheAge now
Follow Warriors for the Aboriginal Resistance
Attend a Black Lives Matter solidarity event this weekend
- Sydney – 12pm 20 Lee St, Chippendale RSVP
- Melbourne – 2pm Parliament House Steps RSVP
- Brisbane – 1pm King George Square RSVP
- Adelaide – 12pm Tarndanyangga Victoria Park RSVP
- Newcastle – 2pm Civic Park King St RSVP
- Alice Springs – 2pm Mpartnwe’s Court Lawns RSVP
Be sure to wear a face mask, keep 1.5m distance between yourself and others and stay home if you are sick or immunocompromised.
Check out this great compilation of anti racism resources for white people.
The In My Blood It Runs team
