An Invasion Day protest to be held on January 26 will demand justice for Mulrunji and an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody. It will be the first time in many years that such a demonstration has taken place in Melbourne on Invasion Day.
Commenting on the campaign to force the Queensland and federal governments to bring to trial those responsible for Mulrunji's death (see article on this page), Jason Tamiru of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal community told Green Left Weekly: "I would like to see Aboriginal Victoria come to Melbourne and rally against this continued oppression and discrimination, and denounce it clearly. What's happening today has happened all my life, it's just that this time it made the news. Aboriginal Australia has lost complete confidence in this system ... [but] I see Aboriginal Australia coming together from what has happened."
The rally is supported by community radio 3CR, Koori radio 3KND, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, the Black GST, Swinburne Student Association, the Socialist Alliance, Reconciliation Victoria, Union Solidarity and Australia Asia Worker Links. It will convene outside the State Library at 11am before marching to the Share the Spirit Festival at the Treasury Gardens.