On 26 January, my mum, sister, daughter, four of my daughter's friends, and many thousands (mob and allies alike) stood in peaceful solidarity on Whadjuk Boodja in recognition of the anniversary of Invasion. We were all welcomed. We were united and proud.
As the speakers began - Elders, youth, wadjela and Palestinian, we listened, acknowledged and supported. The crowd was diverse, respectful and engaged. The speakers were smart, passionate and determined.
An elderly Aboriginal woman in a wheelchair was pushed closer to the stage. Flags waved in the breeze and placards were held high. My family was close by. I was alert, but felt safe.
I noticed what appeared to be a stuffed children's toy land near me - it was thrown from the Myer balcony. I didn't know it hit the leg of one of my daughter's friends. I didn't know it was a sock-filled explosive device built for carnage. I saw it roll towards the wheelchair.
Another of my daughter's friends approached a police officer and tried to explain that someone had threw an item into the crowd. The police officer was complacent, nonplussed. It took another woman to pick up the sock and convince the police officer that this was serious. This was a hate crime. An act of terror.
40 minutes later the police congregated and moved us out - there was confusion, but the speeches continued and we made our way to Stirling Gardens, marching as one. We got home safely, but as we woke to news of the attack, we were all deeply shaken at what could've been.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has issued a carefully worded condemnation of the act, yet there is deathly silence from other politicians, including Western Australian Federal Senator Michaelia Cash who, along with her cronies, pick and choose acts of hate to serve their own narrative - not in the interest of all Australians.
Australia has demonstrated - repeatedly and recently that it knows how to respond to terror against certain communities.
Australia simply chooses not to do so when the targets are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those standing in solidarity with them.
My family and the thousands that turned out on Monday deserve the same protections afforded to every other Australian. We deserve politicians competing to condemn violence against us with the same vigour they show for others. We deserve media coverage that treats this act of hate a national outrage.
We deserve the same Australia that other Australians receive when they face threats.
Watch how quickly - or slowly - certain politicians move to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those who stand with us. Compare it to the speed with which it moves to protect other communities. Note the difference.
Renae Isaacs-Guthridge is a Noongar and Yamatji Yorga with connections across Countries, including Wardandi Boodja.
