Protest against racism and deaths in custody outside Dhu inquest

Family members and supporters gathered on December 2 outside the inquest into the death in custody of 22-year-old Ms Dhu. The protest was a response to the shocking evidence of neglect and institutionalised racism revealed at the inquest and the fact that the conclusion of the inquest has been delayed so that police testimony won't be heard until at least March 2016.

Speakers pointed out that Aboriginal deaths in custody is an ongoing reality and that the lack of a Custody Notification Service in WA and the failure to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody contributes to these deaths.

The protesters also noted that the hollow promise of premier Colin Barnett in October 2014 to reduce the numbers of Aboriginal people in custody had not been fulfilled.

















[This article first appeared in Green Left online.]