ID :
28046
Sun, 11/02/2008 - 20:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/28046
The shortlink copeid
Call for calm ahead of police awards
An indigenous leader is calling for calm from Aboriginal communities on the eve of a
Queensland police bravery awards ceremony in Townsville.
Twenty-two police who feared for their lives during Palm Island riots in 2004 are
set to receive medals on Monday, just days ahead of the riot ringleader's sentencing
- also in Townsville - on November 7.
Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey said although the timing of the awards was
inappropriate, he would not support protests.
Mr Lacey said rallying against the ceremony would only draw more attention to it,
instead, the community should be pulling together to support Lex Wotton's family
before his sentencing.
Last month, after a two-week trial, Wotton was found guilty of inciting the Palm
Island riots.
Wotton led an angry mob of residents on a rampage around the island, destroying
property and threatening police a week after the death of 36-year-old Cameron
Doomadgee, who died while in custody on the island.
"I'm calling on everyone not to do that (protest)," Mr Lacey told AAP.
"I won't be supporting any protest, it's very important we don't react.
"The timing of it is not culturally appropriate or culturally sensitive from the
police commissioner of Queensland."
The timing of the awards was damaging the relationship between police and the
indigenous community, he said.
"He's put a wedge between police and Aboriginal relationships," Mr Lacey said.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson last week rejected claims the ceremony was badly
timed, saying the date had been set in stone for months.
"This date was set a long time out and it was regrettable, but coincidental, that
the trial of Lex Wotton concluded only a short time ago," he told a press
conference.
"These officers did themselves and the QPS (Queensland Police Service) proud on that
day.
"The fact that no one was seriously injured was testament to the courage,
professionalism and restraint shown by them."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has said the officers deserved their medals.
"This was a very traumatic and difficult event and there were a number of police
officers who acted to ensure the safety of other people on the island," she said
last week.
On Saturday, about 200 activists rallied in Brisbane holding placards with slogans
such as Stop Black Deaths in Custody and Death of Queensland Justice.
Queensland police bravery awards ceremony in Townsville.
Twenty-two police who feared for their lives during Palm Island riots in 2004 are
set to receive medals on Monday, just days ahead of the riot ringleader's sentencing
- also in Townsville - on November 7.
Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey said although the timing of the awards was
inappropriate, he would not support protests.
Mr Lacey said rallying against the ceremony would only draw more attention to it,
instead, the community should be pulling together to support Lex Wotton's family
before his sentencing.
Last month, after a two-week trial, Wotton was found guilty of inciting the Palm
Island riots.
Wotton led an angry mob of residents on a rampage around the island, destroying
property and threatening police a week after the death of 36-year-old Cameron
Doomadgee, who died while in custody on the island.
"I'm calling on everyone not to do that (protest)," Mr Lacey told AAP.
"I won't be supporting any protest, it's very important we don't react.
"The timing of it is not culturally appropriate or culturally sensitive from the
police commissioner of Queensland."
The timing of the awards was damaging the relationship between police and the
indigenous community, he said.
"He's put a wedge between police and Aboriginal relationships," Mr Lacey said.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson last week rejected claims the ceremony was badly
timed, saying the date had been set in stone for months.
"This date was set a long time out and it was regrettable, but coincidental, that
the trial of Lex Wotton concluded only a short time ago," he told a press
conference.
"These officers did themselves and the QPS (Queensland Police Service) proud on that
day.
"The fact that no one was seriously injured was testament to the courage,
professionalism and restraint shown by them."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has said the officers deserved their medals.
"This was a very traumatic and difficult event and there were a number of police
officers who acted to ensure the safety of other people on the island," she said
last week.
On Saturday, about 200 activists rallied in Brisbane holding placards with slogans
such as Stop Black Deaths in Custody and Death of Queensland Justice.
