‘It's gotta stop': Mourners' plea at vigil for Indigenous man who died in custody
Warlpiri elders have called for witnesses to Tuesday's tragedy to come forward and help understand what led to the death of 24-year-old Kumanjayi White – named in this masthead with the family's permission – who first had an altercation with a security guard before being restrained by two police officers.
Ned Hargraves, a Warlpiri elder, called the vigil for his grandson at the Coles supermarket from noon on Friday, leading to an outpouring of grief and anger among the mourners.
'Every day our black fellas, yapa, getting stopped,' Hargraves told the vigil.
'It's gotta stop. We respect you – how about us? Respect us.
'We were meant to be working together, but we're not.'
Hargraves thanked the community for their support and said he hoped it wouldn't happen again.
'Hear our words,' he said. 'Hear us, this cannot keep going.'
Messages and tributes of bouquets and gum leaves were left at the front of the store where mourners comforted each other and wailed with grief.
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ABC News
9 hours ago
- ABC News
NT police officer involved in Alice Springs death in custody leads case against Kumanjayi White's father
The police prosecutor who was involved in the death in custody of Kumanjayi White in Alice Springs is now involved in the prosecution of Mr White's father. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family. The ABC understands NT prosecutor Steven Haig was one of two plain-clothed officers involved in restraining Mr White at Coles supermarket on May 27. Mr White's arrest followed an alleged confrontation with security guards inside the supermarket. The 24-year-old Warlpiri man from Yuendumu, who was living in Alice Springs due to his disabilities, died soon after his arrest. Mr White's death prompted a wave of vigils around Australia and an outpouring of grief from Mr White's family. Mr Haig has continued working as a police prosecutor in Alice Springs, while NT Police investigate Mr White's death and "whether any criminality was involved". Nearly three months on, the cause of Mr White's death remains undetermined as NT Police wait for a forensic pathologist to "complete further investigation". NT Police has previously said the initial autopsy was inconclusive. Police have also ruled out the possibility of an independent inquiry into Mr White's death, despite repeated calls from his family, community groups, advocates and politicians. Mr White's father by kinship, Martin 'Isaac' Jabarula White, appeared in custody on Wednesday at Alice Springs Local Court, charged with contravening a domestic violence order. The court heard the charges were dismissed as they were "improperly laid" due to an administrative error. Court documents seen by the ABC show Mr Haig signed off on this improperly laid charge. Speaking outside court, Mr White told the ABC it was wrong Mr Haig could sign off on his charges given the officer's involvement in his son's death. "My message is just: get him out of [a] job." Soon after being granted bail, Mr White was arrested and charged again over the same offence when retrieving his personal items from the police watch house. He will now spend a second night in custody at the Alice Springs watch house. Human rights groups and the police union have previously raised concerns about conditions inside the NT's overcrowded police watch houses, where the lights remain on 24 hours a day. In a statement, NT Police said it "will not be identifying any of the individuals involved in the incident". "No charges have been laid in relation to this incident and the officers involved have not been stood down," the spokesperson said. "The community can be assured that a thorough investigation is being carried out to determine the circumstances and cause of Kumanjayi White's death."
ABC News
05-08-2025
- ABC News
NT Police say Kumanjayi White's cause of death in custody still unknown as investigations continue
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family. Northern Territory Police say the cause of Kumanjayi White's death remains "undetermined", more than two months after he died in police custody at a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs. Mr White died on May 27 after he was restrained by plain-clothed police officers following an alleged confrontation with security guards inside the supermarket. The 24-year-old Warlpiri man grew up in the remote community of Yuendumu, but was living in supported accommodation in Alice Springs due to his disabilities. His death prompted a wave of vigils around Australia and an outpouring of grief from Mr White's family. A coronial inquest has been paused while NT Police investigates Mr White's death, including "whether any criminality was involved". Mr White's family has been pushing for an independent body to run the investigation to ensure impartiality, with support from advocacy groups and some federal politicians. However, NT Police has ruled out the possibility of an independent inquiry. In a statement, an NT Police spokesperson said: "The cause of [Mr White's] death remains undetermined, and the forensic pathologist is required to complete further investigation". NT Police has previously said the initial autopsy was inconclusive. The spokesperson also said NT Police would not identify the officers involved in the incident. "No charges have been laid in relation to this incident and the officers involved have not been stood down," the spokesperson said. "Investigations remain ongoing." The ABC understands one of the officers was NT police prosecutor Steven Haig. Mr White's grandfather Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves last week repeated calls for NT Police to release the CCTV footage of his grandson's death, and to hand over the criminal investigation to an independent body. Mr Hargraves has been requesting to review the CCTV footage since early June, when he met with Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst inside the Alice Springs police station following the first vigil.
The Advertiser
03-08-2025
- The Advertiser
Australia due for 'massive reckoning' with its history
Australia needs a "massive reckoning" with the injustices of its own colonial past, human rights advocates say. Speaking at the Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said people must be mindful about political leaders favouring "practical measures" over truth-telling. "What people don't understand is that it's the practical measures that got us to the situation that we're currently in," she said. "We've got to be really mindful about that fact when we hear this narrative about truth-telling is symbolism." The importance of truth-telling was also highlighted by Human Rights Commission president Hugh De Kretser. "In mainstream Australia there is a need for a massive reckoning around the injustice," he said. "That's why truth-telling is so important." Ms Kiss pointed to youth justice legislation in the Northern Territory and Queensland, saying those jurisdictions have been wilfully opposing their human rights obligations. "If we do not exercise our rights, they are not held accountable to them," she said. "If we do not challenge governments on the fact they have obligations to our rights, they will continue to violate them." Her comments come after Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves called out the Northern Territory government and the NT Police at the Garma Festival. Mr Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister, Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. During his speech Mr Albanese also acknowledged the work of Victoria's truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which Mr De Kretser said was good to see, and could "open the door a little" to truth-telling on a national level. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Australia needs a "massive reckoning" with the injustices of its own colonial past, human rights advocates say. Speaking at the Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said people must be mindful about political leaders favouring "practical measures" over truth-telling. "What people don't understand is that it's the practical measures that got us to the situation that we're currently in," she said. "We've got to be really mindful about that fact when we hear this narrative about truth-telling is symbolism." The importance of truth-telling was also highlighted by Human Rights Commission president Hugh De Kretser. "In mainstream Australia there is a need for a massive reckoning around the injustice," he said. "That's why truth-telling is so important." Ms Kiss pointed to youth justice legislation in the Northern Territory and Queensland, saying those jurisdictions have been wilfully opposing their human rights obligations. "If we do not exercise our rights, they are not held accountable to them," she said. "If we do not challenge governments on the fact they have obligations to our rights, they will continue to violate them." Her comments come after Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves called out the Northern Territory government and the NT Police at the Garma Festival. Mr Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister, Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. During his speech Mr Albanese also acknowledged the work of Victoria's truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which Mr De Kretser said was good to see, and could "open the door a little" to truth-telling on a national level. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Australia needs a "massive reckoning" with the injustices of its own colonial past, human rights advocates say. Speaking at the Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said people must be mindful about political leaders favouring "practical measures" over truth-telling. "What people don't understand is that it's the practical measures that got us to the situation that we're currently in," she said. "We've got to be really mindful about that fact when we hear this narrative about truth-telling is symbolism." The importance of truth-telling was also highlighted by Human Rights Commission president Hugh De Kretser. "In mainstream Australia there is a need for a massive reckoning around the injustice," he said. "That's why truth-telling is so important." Ms Kiss pointed to youth justice legislation in the Northern Territory and Queensland, saying those jurisdictions have been wilfully opposing their human rights obligations. "If we do not exercise our rights, they are not held accountable to them," she said. "If we do not challenge governments on the fact they have obligations to our rights, they will continue to violate them." Her comments come after Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves called out the Northern Territory government and the NT Police at the Garma Festival. Mr Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister, Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. During his speech Mr Albanese also acknowledged the work of Victoria's truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which Mr De Kretser said was good to see, and could "open the door a little" to truth-telling on a national level. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 Australia needs a "massive reckoning" with the injustices of its own colonial past, human rights advocates say. Speaking at the Garma Festival at Gulkula in northeast Arnhem Land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said people must be mindful about political leaders favouring "practical measures" over truth-telling. "What people don't understand is that it's the practical measures that got us to the situation that we're currently in," she said. "We've got to be really mindful about that fact when we hear this narrative about truth-telling is symbolism." The importance of truth-telling was also highlighted by Human Rights Commission president Hugh De Kretser. "In mainstream Australia there is a need for a massive reckoning around the injustice," he said. "That's why truth-telling is so important." Ms Kiss pointed to youth justice legislation in the Northern Territory and Queensland, saying those jurisdictions have been wilfully opposing their human rights obligations. "If we do not exercise our rights, they are not held accountable to them," she said. "If we do not challenge governments on the fact they have obligations to our rights, they will continue to violate them." Her comments come after Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves called out the Northern Territory government and the NT Police at the Garma Festival. Mr Hargraves said his community of Yuendumu had lost trust in the police after the deaths of his grandson Kumanjayi White in May, and Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Kumanjayi Walker was 19 when he was shot by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at close range at a home in Yuendumu. A coronial inquest found Mr Walker's death was preventable, and coroner Elisabeth Armitage said she could not rule out that racism may have played a part in the teenager's death. The Northern Territory government is yet to commit to any of the coroner's recommendations, handed down in Yuendumu in July. In May, the community was left reeling after the death of Kumanjayi White at a supermarket in Alice Springs. The 24-year-old, who had a disability, died after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes officers. "Kumanjayi Walker was murdered in broad daylight," Mr Hargraves said. "In the same way my jaja, my grandson, was done, he was killed by the law. "The police has done enough. Enough is enough. We have to put a stop to it somewhere." Reading from a letter he penned to the prime minister, Mr Hargraves said Anthony Albanese had the power to turn around the outcomes for his community. "This genocide must stop," he said. "We are asking you, the prime minister, to do something about it." Mr Albanese visited Garma for a few hours on Saturday, making a speech and meeting with senior Yolngu leaders. He announced an economic partnership with Indigenous organisations, which he said would allow Traditional Owners to advocate for infrastructure, housing and energy projects on their land, with millions promised for First Nations clean energy projects and for native title reform. During his speech Mr Albanese also acknowledged the work of Victoria's truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which Mr De Kretser said was good to see, and could "open the door a little" to truth-telling on a national level. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
