Several thousand people rallied in Black Lives Matter protests across Australia over the weekend to call for racial equality and highlight deaths of Indigenous people while in police custody.
About 500 people protested Sunday in Newcastle, north of Sydney, after the New South Wales state Supreme Court approved the rally following an attempt by police to have it banned.
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Several thousand people rallied in Black Lives Matter protests across Australia over the weekend to call for racial equality and highlight deaths of Indigenous people while in police custody.
There have been more than 400 Indigenous deaths in custody since a royal commission into the issue ended in 1991. No convictions have been recorded in any of the deaths.
Australia’s Indigenous people are the most disadvantaged ethnic minority in the country. They have higher-than-average rates of infant mortality and poor health, as well as shorter life expectancy and lower levels of education and employment than other Australians.
An Aboriginal man carries a small fire during a traditional smoking ceremony as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
People maintain physical distances as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
A man holds a banner showing George Floyd as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
An Aboriginal man carries a small fire during a traditional smoking ceremony as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
A man and woman cross arms in front of an Aboriginal flag as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
A rally in Sydney on Sunday began with a ceremony at which people mourned the Indigenous Australians who have died in police custody.
Aboriginal elders carry a small fire during a traditional smoking ceremony as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
There have been more than 400 Indigenous deaths in custody since a royal commission into the issue ended in 1991. No convictions have been recorded in any of the deaths.
“We went through the lawful process, we sat through that process of the coronial inquiry, we listened to that process and we received no justice from that process," Sydney rally organizer Paul Silva told SBS Television. “This is our process to demand justice."
On Saturday, Australians took part in Black Lives Matter rallies in the cities of Brisbane, Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. Many of the protesters work masks and attempted to maintain social distancing due to coronavirus concerns.
An Aboriginal man sits with a small fire during a traditional smoking ceremony as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
Australia’s Indigenous people are the most disadvantaged ethnic minority in the country. They have higher-than-average rates of infant mortality and poor health, as well as shorter life expectancy and lower levels of education and employment than other Australians.
People hold a banner as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
An Aboriginal man carries a small fire during a traditional smoking ceremony as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
People maintain physical distances as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
A man holds a banner showing George Floyd as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
An Aboriginal man carries a small fire during a traditional smoking ceremony as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)
A man and woman cross arms in front of an Aboriginal flag as thousands gather at a rally supporting the Black Lives Matter and Black Deaths in Custody movements in Sydney, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP PhotoRick Rycroft)