'WE WON’T BE SILENT': CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO KUMANJAYI WHITE’S DEATH
BY ASAD KHAN AND CAMILIA SAMSON
The death of 24-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White in Alice Springs has reignited national calls for justice and accountability in the face of yet another Black death in custody.
Roxanne Moore, Executive Director of First Nations and Youth Action at the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), described the incident as “absolutely horrific.”
“Kumanjayi White was a young man with a disability. He should have been treated with care and dignity — but instead, he was met with violence by police,”
Roxanne Moore, Executive Director of First Nations and Youth Action at the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA)
Moore said the case resonates deeply with Aboriginal communities in Western Australia, where grief over preventable deaths continues to mount.
Since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, almost 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in custody.
grandfather Uncle Ned Hargraves
What’s next?
Kumanjayi White’s family, led by his grandfather Uncle Ned Hargraves, are demanding:
A fully independent investigation — not one led by police
The release of CCTV footage to the family
An apology from NT Police for portraying Kumanjayi as a criminal in public statements
Protests and actions are planned across the country this weekend, including in Borroloola, where supporters will stand in solidarity with Kumanjayi’s family.
Moore said Yuendumu, where Kumanjayi was from, is still mourning the police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker six years ago.
“It’s retraumatising. There’s deep grief, but also outrage. The families are calling for national action, and we must all stand behind them.”
“Police shouldn’t investigate police. That’s why the family are demanding a truly independent investigation.”
The community is still waiting for the coroner’s findings in the Kumanjayi Walker case, which have now been delayed. The delay follows the emergence of disturbing evidence during the inquest, including NT Police officers receiving offensive “awards” mocking Aboriginal people.
“These are the same people now tasked with investigating Kumanjayi White’s death. That’s unacceptable. We need accountability — and the family’s voices must be heard,” Moore said.
Karratha police arrest tactics?
Another incident involving police mistreatment of an Aboriginal woman this week added to community anger.
Recent arrest of an aboirginal 25- year-old in Karratha , WA
“Officers are sometimes suspended, but still on full pay. That’s not enough. Police involved in deaths in custody should be stood down while investigations take place — not protected by the system.”
Kumanjayi’s death occurred during Reconciliation Week.
“How are we meant to reconcile when police are still killing our people?”
Moore said the case is part of a wider pattern of systemic racism.
“We’re still grieving for Cleveland Dodd here in WA. His inquest is ongoing. There’s also Ms Dhu, Elijah Doughty, Cassius Turvey. They weren’t all deaths in custody, but they’re all connected.”
This weekend, protests will call for action.
The town of Yuendumu in the Northern Territory
Communities still mourning
“We want people to come out and stand with the families in Yuendumu and with all our families who’ve lost loved ones.”
It has been 35 years since 16-year-old John Pat died in Roebourne, leading to the Royal Commission.
“Yet nothing has changed. These are still preventable deaths,” Moore said.
She joined calls for the full implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
“We won’t be silent. We won’t stop until they stop killing our people.”
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Camilia Samson speak with Roxanne Moore: