Photos: P. Hay
Today members of the Alice Springs Community gathered to voice their outrage at the police violence that resulted in the bashing death of a young Aboriginal man on Wednesday night who had been taken into protective custody. Locals gathered at a place designated by the family who have been moved on by Alice Springs police in their public protestations to date. Signs condemning police brutality and calling for an end to black deaths in custody were held for passers by to see for over 3 hours on the main highway through the centre of town.
“We are going to continue to show support for the Briscoe family and strongly condemn the police violence that has led to the death of this young man” the groups spokesperson, Natalie Keene, said.
“The people of Alice Springs demand justice, and are calling for an independent inquiry into the young man’s death. The Northern Territory Police cannot be trusted to conduct their own investigation into the death of a young man at the hands of their own,” Ms Keene said.
The group were joined by lone protester and family member of the deceased, Dean Jakamarra Briscoe. Since hearing of his cousin’s death, Dean has been standing on the main roads of Alice Springs for two days straight with a sandwich board over his shoulders stating, “Black Deaths In Custody.” Dean has taken some time off to keep the heinous circumstances of his cousin’s death in the public consciousness. Dean works for the indigenous community of Alice Springs in a local Aboriginal NGO.
“No one deserves to die like this,” Dean Jakamarra Briscoe said.
Mr Briscoe and his family are calling for public support. There will be regular candlelight vigil at the Alice Springs police station where flowers have been placed, but signs calling for an end to police brutality have been removed by police.
Natalie Keane
