'There was a fight,” the high-ranking officer tells the crowd. He holds three fingers in the air. “There were three shots.” In the desert, and across the country, we can all count. | Opinion by ChloeHooper
Indigenous communities are calling for justice over the death of Kumanjayi Walker.Looking carefully, amid the sense of deja vu, there are signs Kumanjayi Walker’s death in the Northern Territory could be different. Video footage shows a public meeting held last Sunday, the day after the death, in the Yuendumu community centre.
Watching Wurst, I couldn’t help thinking that almost exactly 15 years ago, when Cameron Doomadgee was killed in a Palm Island police station, the then Queensland police commissioner, immediately pledged his support for senior sergeant Chris Hurley. Jamie Chalker, the Northern Territory Police Commissioner, also interrupted the standard marrative. In his press conference, announcing the murder charge, Chalker – himself the son of an officer and therefore very much of the police tribe – gripped both sides of his lectern, and in a solemn staccato told us: “From the moment I heard about the incident, I knew lives would forever be impacted. And that is the path we are on. And the path we are on will be a search for truth.
At a moment when Australia seems ringed with fires, there’s a public desire for politicians to deal with reality rather than entrenched ideology. There’s also a sense that this death in the heart of the country can’t just be treated like all the others. That whatever the truth - it will be brought to light.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Cleanse our heart': Family calls for justice over the death of Yuendumu man Kumanjayi WalkerThe couple who raised Kumanjayi Walker say they want justice to be done after the 19-year-old was shot and killed in police custody in the remote community of Yuendumu.
Read more »
Three charged over autistic boy's deathTwo school administrators and a teacher are facing criminal charges in the death of an autistic student who was restrained for nearly two hours. 9News
Read more »
Final moments before the death of Kumanjayi WalkerHe was a decorated rookie cop commended for his bravery. Now, he stands accused of the shooting murder of a young Aboriginal man.
Read more »
Another total fire ban in place for Sydney as bushfires death toll rises to fourNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian identified the fourth fire victim as Mr Barry Parsons, 58, and offered her condolences to his family in Parliament.
Read more »
Elders call for gun ban in communities after Kumanjayi Walker deathPolice officers must reconsider the use of guns in some communities, residents and politicians are urging, in the wake of the recent death in custody.
Read more »
Girl's death not a suicide, 'deeply shameful' for Families SA, deputy coroner findsTeenager Heidi Singh died alone without ever knowing her Aboriginal culture after languishing in emergency care — a situation the deputy South Australian coroner labels deeply shameful.
Read more »