‘We should be dead’: Perth’s Indigenous community felt ignored after alleged Invasion Day bombing attempt, inquiry told
Summary
At an Invasion Day rally in Perth, a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd of about 2,000 people, injuring none but causing fear and trauma. Members of the Indigenous community told a federal inquiry they felt ignored by police and politicians after the incident, which was later treated as a terrorism case.Key Facts
- On January 26, a device filled with ball bearings, screws, and other projectiles was thrown into a crowd at Perth’s Invasion Day rally.
- The crowd had about 2,000 people, mainly Indigenous Australians.
- Perth man Liam Alexander Hall was charged with terrorism offenses and is in custody; his lawyers say he plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
- Indigenous witnesses said they felt dismissed by police and authorities after the attack.
- Police declared the incident a terror attack nine days later.
- Organizers warned police about possible threats from far-right groups before the event but had little communication with them.
- Politicians and non-Indigenous leaders did not publicly condemn the attack promptly.
- Former Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt said that recent political events have increased racism and hate against Indigenous people.
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