Protest demands new inquiry into Aboriginal death in custody

Aboriginal rights and queer groups protested outside Glebe Coroner's Court in Sydney to demand an end to black deaths in custody and a new inquiry into the death of transgender Aboriginal woman Veronnica (Paris) Baxter on the 20th anniversary of the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody, April 15.

Indigenous Social Justice Association spokesperson Ray Jackson said: "There is one Aboriginal death in custody per month in Australia. The 339 recommendations of the Commission have not been properly implemented by the states — and so the deaths have not stopped."

Norrie mAy-welby, from community-based collective Still Fierce, said: "We are here to ask again, who killed Veronnica (Paris) Baxter? Were her four emergency calls answered on the night of her death?"

David Shoebridge, NSW Greens MLA, committed the NSW Greens to pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into Veronnica Baxter's death, which has the power to call witnesses.

Aboriginal elder Pat Eatock, who is one of nine people taking Andrew Bolt to court over his alleged racist slurs against Aboriginal people, also addressed the crowd.

Metropolitan Community Church CRAVE's Karl Hand led loud chanting: "Stop Black Deaths in Custody — Justice for Veronnica."