home | news l

For this disgrace, we all bear shame

By Tony Koch

21 June 2007 - THE sense of powerlessness enveloped indigenous Australians again yesterday - this time the friends and family of Mulrunji Doomadgee.

The jury's verdict that Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley was not guilty of either assaulting or unlawfully killing Doomadgee is seen by Palm Islanders and their supporters as a result of the justice system under which they live.

But it is difficult for them to accept that a member of their community can be walking along a street of the island mid-morning, drunk and singing, and an hour later be dead.

The unanswerable question was asked again yesterday following the acquittal: would this have been the result if the "tussle" had ended with the black man getting up, dusting himself off and walking away, and the police officer lying on the concrete floor with four broken ribs, bleeding to death from a liver held together by only a couple of blood vessels?

Activist Gracelyn Smallwood called for calmness and dignity, as did community elders and their lawyer, Andrew Boe.

Smallwood turned after making her statement to the press and told how she really felt: "I won't cry for my people where these bastards can see me - I'll do that on my own tonight."

Boe said: "What do Aboriginal people ever have to do in this country to have a win?"

Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson rang when he heard the verdict. Asked for a comment, he was unable to say a word.

Police at the court acted with restraint and there were no harsh words passed from either side.

The death in custody of Doomadgee has left indigenous people the losers at every turn in the case. They were fed platitudes and patronising commentary from government representatives and police from the time of the incredibly inept and disingenuous investigation into his death.

Hurley admitted it was his actions that "must have" killed the arrested man. He has been found not guilty of having done so unlawfully, and that is the result that must be accepted, however unpalatable some might find it.

But it is only a tiny part in a disgraceful saga in which black Australians were again the victims, and in which we all must bear some shame.

Source: The Australian

Further information: palm island issues page - includes news index and external links