A First Nations social worker has raised concerns about the failure of the Australian Association of Social Workers to issue a statement in the wake of the attempted bomb attack on Boorloo/Perth's Invasion Day rally, and has urged solidarity against racism.

Locky Bygrave, a proud Gomeroi man, said he was "deeply disappointed in the AASW for their silence on the attack at the Invasion Day rally in Boorloo (Perth) on January 26".

"The AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards call us to uphold human rights, social justice, and the rights of children and young people's. Silence in the face of targeted violence against First Nations peoples is harmful," he said.

"Our children, families, and communities deserve recognition, protection, and justice. Silence from professional bodies like the AASW perpetuates harm.

"When will the AASW be held accountable for turning the other way? Social workers are meant to challenge injustice and raise awareness, not pick and choose which issues they respond and report on."

The most recent media statement on the AASW website was published on Tuesday, 3 February. There has been no public statement regarding the attack in Boorloo/Perth.

An AASW spokesperson told National Indigenous Times the Association "is deeply concerned by reports of violence targeting the Invasion Day rally in Boorloo/Perth, and we acknowledge the distress and harm this has caused for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities".

"Social workers are committed to human rights, anti-racism and social justice. The AASW supports responses that centre the safety, voices and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and ensure racist violence is recognised and addressed, and not minimised," the spokesperson said.

In a further statement, Mr Bygrave wrote - in regards to the attack on January 26: "If you're not outraged, I ask you to critically reflect as to why not... Once again, we're watching mainstream media and people in positions of influence look the other way when violence is directed toward First Nations communities."

"Let's be clear: A handmade explosive device was thrown into a crowd at the Invasion Day rally in Boorloo (Perth) on January 26th 2026, Even if it did not detonate, the act itself is a serious and terrifying threat of violence therefore this needs to be investigated as hate crime.

"In that crowd were Elders, there were children, mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers... real people, real families, real lives. And yet, the silence from much of mainstream media is deafening. Racism in this country is not invisible, it is escalating.

"When children witness racism, hatred, and violence in any form and see it dismissed or ignored, it impacts their sense of safety in the world. It teaches them that their lives, culture, and communities are less protected, less believed, and less valued. This shapes identity, belonging, and self-worth, and forces young people to grow up far too quickly, carrying fear and hyper-vigilance instead of safety and freedom.

"We must stand in solidarity with the Boorloo community, and with First Nations communities everywhere. Because when racism is normalised, dismissed and ignored our children pay the price.

"Collectively, we must hold Members of Parliament and political leaders accountable to respond to this as a hate crime and to actively protect our communities.

"The ongoing war on our existence must stop. Always was, always will be sovereign lands."