Norman Brewer, Sydney
"TJ had 17 years. We have the rest of our lives to never forget him. We have to remember TJ, we have to remember all the deaths at the hands of the [state]", Redfern community leader Jenny Munro told a 550-strong memorial march on February 24.
Thomas "TJ" Hickey died on February 15 after a fatal fall from his bicycle. Although several witnesses say he was being chased by police at the time, the police deny it.
The march coincided with TJ's funeral in Walgett, where 300 people, including many who had traveled from Redfern, attended the funeral.
TJ's imprisoned father was not one of them, however, as he was denied permission to attend for "security reasons". Hickey's aunt was also in jail and denied permission to attend the funeral, which was peaceful and dignified.
The police had tried to discourage the Redfern march from taking place, telling those who applied for the march permit that they would be held "fully responsible for anything that can happen during the day". A February 18 AAP article reported that police had "vowed to once again confront Aborigines should they proceed with plans to march".
The corporate media also did its best to keep people away and frightened of the block's residents. The day before the rally, the Australian's headline screamed, "Storm simmers in racial hotspot" while the Sydney Morning Herald went with "Rage that is waiting to explode".
The Redfern memorial march was quiet but defiant, involving kooris from across NSW. Members of the Socialist Alliance, the Greens, students from nearby campuses and members of the Indigenous department at the University of UNSW Indigenous department participated.
The march stopped at the spot that TJ was fatally injured, and emotions were high as flowers were laid at the fence. The march proceeded to Redfern Police Station, where a list of 17 demands were handed over to the police by community leaders Kevin Smith and Lyall Munro. Aboriginal women chanted "Leave our kids alone". The march returned to the Redfern Block for a wake, memorial performances with didgeridoo and dance, and a speak-out.
The community demands include police handing over evidence of what happened on the night TJ was injured, and a royal commission into the death. To read the full list, visit <http://www.greenleft.org.au>.
So far, 10 Aboriginal people have been arrested as a result of the fight between black youth and police on February 15. Given that police have threatened to arrest 40 people, many stayed away from the march from fear that they would be arrested afterwards.
The police kept a low profile on the day, however. As Jenny Munro concluded: "Today was a moral victory: Aboriginal community: one — NSW police force: nil."
The Indigenous community has decided not to organise any actions until later this month after the grieving period has passed. The Socialist Alliance has called a meeting for 7pm on March 4 at the Redfern Town Hall titled "Community against racism and police violence — Justice for TJ" with Indigenous Social Justice campaigner Ray Jackson. The Redfern Block community maintains a now regularly updated website at <http://www.isis.aust.com/theblock> and all events will be uploaded immediately onto <http://www.Socialist-Alliance.org>.
[Further coverage on pages 10-11.]
From Green Left Weekly, March 3, 2004.
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