Nearly 800 letters demanding an independent investigation into the death in custody of Kumanjayi White will be delivered to the steps of the Northern Territory Parliament on Tuesday.
Mr White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man with strong ties to the Yuendumu community, died last month after being restrained by two plain-clothed NT Police officers at a Coles supermarket in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. He was under state guardianship and living in supported accommodation at the time.
His death has prompted protests across the country — including in Naarm/Melbourne, Sydney, Magandjin/Brisbane, Darwin, Boorloo/Perth, Wollongong and Mparntwe/Alice Springs — with calls for an independent investigation having come from Mr White's family, legal advocates, land councils, and human rights organisations.
The calls have been rejected by both NT Police and Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
Justice Not Jails (JNJ), a network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Territorians advocating for justice reform, said over 760 letters will be presented at Parliament on Tuesday.
JNJ member Jade Ritchie said the public expects a justice system that is accountable, transparent, and worthy of trust.
"People from all walks of life – locals, visitors, young and old – have stopped to engage. The message is clear: people are heartbroken, disturbed that this is still happening, and they expect change," she said.
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The letters demand an independent investigation and broader reforms, including a review of police training, the establishment of a fully independent oversight body led by the community, and public disclosure of data and disciplinary outcomes relating to police use-of-force and complaints.
JNJ member Thomas Mayo said the letters represented people who had taken time to stand up for justice. He described them as "a powerful expression of care" for Mr White and his family, and for "the kind of country we want to be."
"This is what solidarity looks like," Mr Mayo said. "We will be delivering them to Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, because our communities deserve answers, and they deserve change."
Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, is among those from within the community calling for the inquiry.
"You want to say sorry? You take the belt off, take your guns off," he told ABC News Breakfast last week. "I would say this [to the police]: 'Get off our back … get off our back.'"
First Nations people in the NT have long raised concerns about policing. In 2024, NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy issued a public apology to Aboriginal Territorians for "the past harms and the injustices caused by members of the Northern Territory Police."
To date, no officers involved in Mr White's arrest have been stood down. While NT Police have avoided questions about the identities and status of the officers, they have publicly commented on Mr White's alleged criminal record.
NT Police Prosecutor Steven Haig is believed to have been one of the arresting officers. As previously reported by National Indigenous Times, Mr Haig has faced allegations of aggressive conduct towards Indigenous people, though NT Police have refused to disclose any disciplinary actions.
Among those also supporting an independent inquiry are Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Lidia Thorpe, and Marion Scrymgour, Member for Lingiari and Special Envoy for Remote Communities.
Last week, Ms Finocchiaro doubled down on her previous criticism —where she had described Senator McCarthy's comments as "uneducated" and "unhelpful" — saying: "The comments being made by federal members of parliament are quite frankly appalling."
JNJ member Natalie Hunter said the police "can't be trusted to investigate themselves," and slammed Ms Finocchiaro's comments.
"The disrespect shown by the Chief Minister to the family of Kumanjayi White is appalling," she said. "There must be an independent investigation now."
In response to questions from National Indigenous Times — including about claims Ms Finocchiaro made without speaking to Mr White's family, suggesting that talk of an independent investigation is "further upsetting a community who is mourning the loss of a loved one" — a CLP Government spokesperson said the NT Police would conduct a "full and independent investigation into the death of Kumanjayi White, alongside a separate coronial inquiry".
Furthermore, the recent death in AFP Custody of a 68-year-old Wadeye Elder, known as TN, will also be investigated by the NT Police, the spokesperson said.
"These matters must be handed not with speculation, and not politics," the spokesperson said.
