URGENT UPDATE: A damning report from the Northern Territory Coroner reveals that the 2019 death of Kumanjayi Walker, a 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man, was “entirely avoidable.” This finding exposes systemic racism within the NT Police and highlights the ongoing neglect of First Nations people in Australia.
In a week dominated by discussions surrounding anti-Semitism in Australia, this critical report has been largely overlooked. The Coroner’s findings come after years of hearings and delays, culminating in a stark conclusion: Walker’s death was not an isolated incident of a “bad apple” officer, but indicative of a deeper, entrenched culture of racism within law enforcement.
On November 2019, Walker was shot three times at close range by police officer Zachary Rolfe in his home in Yuendumu. Rolfe was acquitted of criminal charges, but the legal ramifications did not end there. The Coroner’s report emphasizes that systemic issues, not individual actions, contributed to this tragic outcome.
The Walker family expressed their validation upon hearing the findings, stating, “Our community is now looking to the future,” and reiterated their call for self-determination under Warlpiri control and effective justice mechanisms. However, many observers argue that the Coroner’s recommendations do not go far enough to ensure real accountability or to prevent further deaths in custody.
Despite decades of royal commissions and inquiries revealing patterns of over-policing and systemic racism, the response from Australian political leaders has often been inadequate. The UN has called for “comprehensive reform” in response to these ongoing issues, highlighting a pressing need for change.
The lack of media coverage and political attention surrounding this report raises significant concerns about who gets heard in public discourse and which lives are deemed politically significant. The silence from the government reflects deeper societal issues surrounding the treatment of First Nations people.
In light of these findings, it is crucial for the public to raise their voices and demand action from the government. As the family and community of Kumanjayi Walker seek justice, it is imperative that we recognize and support the true anti-racism advocates fighting for meaningful change.
What’s next? Activists and community leaders are urging citizens to not only amplify these voices but also to engage politically to ensure that these recommendations lead to real, impactful reform.
For more on the family’s statement and their ongoing fight, visit their Instagram: Read here.
