A rally will take place in Magandjin's King George Square on Saturday 8 June, calling for justice following the death of Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Aboriginal man who died after being restrained by police in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Northern Territory Police claimed Mr White was involved in an altercation with a security guard at the Coles supermarket in the Alice Springs CBD on Tuesday afternoon.
According to police, two plainclothes officers restrained Mr White, who then lost consciousness. He was transported to Alice Springs Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after 2:20pm.
Police confirmed a crime scene was established at the shopping centre, which remains closed.
Mr White was living in supported accommodation and under state guardianship.
The NT Police and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro have rejected calls from Mr White's family, human rights groups, and Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy for an independent investigation into the death — despite long-standing concerns from Indigenous communities about systemic racism and over-policing in the Territory.
Mr White's death has reignited calls for justice, with advocates highlighting that nearly 600 Indigenous deaths in custody have occurred since the 1991 Royal Commission without a conviction.
His family is also calling for the release of CCTV and body-worn camera footage, and an end to what they describe as "racist police spin".
Senator Lidia Thorpe encouraged the public to take action.
"This is a callout to rally for justice for Kumanjayi White," the Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman said.
"We need to stand together in solidarity with the Warlpiri people – Ned Hargraves (Kumanjayi's Grandfather) and his family in particular.
"Let's get justice – the justice that Kumanjayi and so many others deserve.
Justice for Palestine Magandjin, one of the rally organisers, said, the murder of Kumanjayi White must be a "wake-up call" that the system has not "stopped taking black lives.
"His community deserves justice."
The Brisbane rally is part of a national series of protests calling for accountability and justice for First Nations communities.
An action was held outside NT Parliament House in Darwin on Wednesday evening.
Rally events to come across Australia;
Friday, 6 June – Alice Springs, Court House Lawns, 1pm
Friday, 6 June – Melbourne, Parliament House, 5:30pm
Friday, 6 June – Cairns, Esplanade, 6pm
Saturday, 7 June – Wollongong, Esplanade, 2pm
Saturday, 7 June – Brisbane, King George Square, 1pm
Saturday, 7 June – Sydney, Town Hall, 5pm
Sunday, 8 June – Adelaide, Victoria Square, 6pm
Sunday, 8 June – Perth, Forrest Place, 12pm
