4 days ago
Calls for 'justice' at emotional Alice Springs vigil after Kumanjayi White's death in police custody
Relatives and friends of Kumanjayi White along with members of the Alice Springs community have come together to mourn and demand "justice", 10 days on from the young Warlpiri man's death.
The 24-year-old died last Tuesday after he was restrained by police on the floor of a Coles supermarket.
The death in custody has prompted an outpouring of grief and anger from Mr White's home community of Yuendumu, and vigils and rallies are planned across the country in coming days as part of what organisers have labelled a "national week of action".
Police said two off-duty police officers had restrained Mr White in the supermarket after an alleged altercation with a security guard, who they say confronted him about shoplifting in the store.
The ABC understands one of the officers was NT police prosecutor Steven Haig.
The force said neither of the officers involved had been stood down, and a coronial investigation into the matter has been paused while the criminal investigation takes place.
More than 300 people gathered on the Alice Springs court house laws shortly after midday for today's vigil, which began with a smoking ceremony.
In a recording played to the crowd, Valerie Napaljarri Martin, a Warlpiri woman who knew Mr White since he was a baby, said his death had left his family and Warlpiri community "devastated".
"The police commissioner has announced there will not be an independent inquiry — this is not good enough. So shame," she said.
"We need justice for our loved one who has died."
Multiple advocacy groups and federal politicians have called for an independent body to investigate the death in custody, however the NT Police Force has rejected those requests.
Arrernte woman Barbara Shaw, asked to read out a statement on behalf of the White and Tasman families, reiterated calls for an external probe into the incident.
"We do not trust the NT police and support the demands of the CLC [Central Land Council] that the federal government withhold funding from the Northern Territory government until it agrees to establish an independent body to [investigate]," she said.
"This week we have seen thousands of people from around the country stand up in support of the Warlpiri and this weekend we will see thousands more people raising their voices.
Wirangu woman Kirra Voller, who was also asked to speak at the vigil by Yuendumu families, shared the community's four "demands" in the wake of Mr White's death.
They include that the police officers involved in the incident be stood down during the investigation, and that an independent body take over the investigation from NT police.
The family has also requested all CCTV and body-worn footage of the incident be released to them, and that police "cease making public statements that allege criminality and denigrate the character of Kumanjayi".
"I'm 31 years old and I've stood on these lawns way too many times, fighting for justice, for too many people's lives," Ms Voller said.
While hundreds attended a vigil in Alice Springs last Friday, the ABC understands many Yuendumu community members were unable to attend today's event due to a lack of available accommodation, with the Finke Desert Race on in the region this weekend.
Vigils have been organised across Australia this week for people to show support to the Yuendumu community and echo Mr White's family's calls for an outside body to investigate the incident.
NT Acting Police Commissioner Martin Dole has "respectfully" rejected those requests while Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has stood by the force, saying it's "entirely appropriate" for police to investigate the matter.
Australian Lawyers Association president Greg Barns said it was not "good enough for police to investigate police around Australia".
"If there are deaths in workplaces, for example, you have an independent regulator who looks at it," he said.
Tom Clelland from the Criminal Lawyers Association of the NT has agreed, saying it was "best practice to have an arms-length investigation in these kinds of matters".
Mr White's family's lawyer, George Newhouse, has also filed a formal request to NT police for an independent inquiry into the incident.
Acting Commissioner Dole has said responsibility for criminal investigations sits "solely" with NT police.
"This is the same in every state and jurisdiction in Australia and it's no different in the Northern Territory," he said on Monday.
"It's not simply a matter that a criminal investigation can be handed to someone independent as there's real risks that action that is taken could prevent further action being taken."
Mr White's family has said the young man was living in supported accommodation in Alice Springs because of his disabilities.
Speaking to the ABC ahead of today's vigil, Mr White's friend Narungga and Ngarrindjeri man Joshua Brown reflected on his friendship with the young Warlpiri man.
"I've known Kumanjayi for more than 10 years," Mr Brown said.
"Kumanjayi was a very funny person and always just wanted to make people smile, even in hard times.
