The third anniversary of the death of Aboriginal teenager TJ Hickey will be on February 14. TJ was impaled on a metal fence while being chased by Redfern police. Had police followed proper medical practices, it is likely that TJ would have survived.
Following his death, a cover-up began by the then-premier, Labor's Bob Carr, police commissioner Ken Moroney and the NSW police force.
Two events have been organised by the Indigenous Social Justice Association and the Socialist Alliance to commemorate the anniversary. A public meeting will be held on February 7 at the Boomali Aboriginal Art Centre, 55 Flood St, Leichhardt, and a rally on February 14 at 10.30am at the fenceline where TJ was killed (near the corner of George and Philips Streets, Waterloo).
Bowie Hickey told Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly that the anniversary was a day for mourning "all black deaths in custody" and to struggle for "justice for everyone". "We can't rest until we get a little bit of justice", she said.
Queensland Aboriginal activist Sam Watson will attend both events and will bring a message of solidarity from the campaign for justice for Mulrunji. For more information, phone Ray Jackson on 0415 858 264.