David Dungay Jr, a 26-year-old Dunghutti man from Kempsey, died under police custody at Long Bay prison hospital in 2015. His final words, “I can’t breathe, please! Let me up, please! I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe!”.
As Black Lives Matter protests unfurl internationally in response the senseless murder of unarmed African American man George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis officer, Australia is waking up to the injustices on our own shores. A wake-up call that is long overdue.
We are finally holding up a mirror to our country and addressing what has been glaringly obvious, but tragically ignored for so long — our First Nations people are being brutalised by the police.
First Nations people are the most incarcerated in the world. Despite comprising 2% of the population, First Nations people make up 28% of the prison population. For every 100,000 First Nations adults, 2481 are imprisoned.
The death of George Floyd has resurfaced trauma for the family of David Dunga Jr, who died in police custody in harrowingly similar circumstances.
Amid the growing protests for George Floyd, Dungay’s nephew, Paul Silva, illuminated the lack of response to First Nations deaths in Australia. In an open letter penned for solidarity.net, Silva drew a comparison between the murder of Floyd and the murder of his uncle.
“When I saw the video of George Floyd being murdered, I had to stop the footage,” he wrote. “It took me straight back to when I first saw the video of my uncle’s death.
“Both men died from ‘positional asphyxia’. This happens when police or prison officers restrain someone face down with too much pressure. Both men were continuously saying ‘I can’t breathe’ and begging for their lives. Both men had multiple officers restraining them, pushing them into the ground and ignoring their cries for help, until they took their last breath.”
David Dungay Jr was three weeks shy of being released on parole when he was murdered. He was staying at a hospital after receiving a mental health diagnosis.
Mr Dungay — who had insulin-dependent diabetes— died after being restrained by guards for refusing to stop eating a packet of biscuits. An inquest in 2019 revealed footage of Mr Dungay being restrained face down by up to five members of the jail’s Immediate Action Team (IAT) as he yelled “I can’t breathe” twelve times.
Criminal charges have not been brought upon any of those responsible for his death, and the coroner in November 2019 blamed Dungay’s pre-existing health conditions. In fact, there have been at least 432 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the royal commission in 1991. There has never been a successful homicide prosecution in the criminal courts.
This injustice can not go on any longer. This week, a number of country-wide protests will be take place across Australia, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter marches in the US, and the systemic suffering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at the hands of police.
If you are healthy and able it is your duty to show up. If you can’t make it to the rally, there are tangible ways for you to fight for justice from your home. This week I’ve opted to donate my salary to Sisters Inside and Aboriginal Legal Service. Below is a list of organisations and fundraisers that you can pledge your money to. If you are not in a financial situation where you can donate, consider writing to a member of parliament.
Fundraiser for the family of David Dungay Jr.
Leetona Dungay —mother of David Dungay Jr.— has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for an appeal with the Director of Public Prosecutions for the NSW Government to take responsibility for the death of her son. Proceeds raised will fund the ongoing expenses for her campaign.
Fundraiser for the family of Kumanjayi Walker
Kumanjayi Walker was shot by police three times in his home at Yuendumu on November 9th 2019. He was 19 years old. The Warlpiri people are seeking an independent inquiry into the shooting and community policing. Dr. Lisa Watts has organised this fundraiser to cover the costs of lawyers’ travel to Yuendumu.
Fundraiser for the family of Tanya Day
Our Mum, Tanya Day a proud Yorta Yorta woman, mother, grandmother and activist, died in custody as a result of her mistreatment in Victoria Police custody on 5 th December 2017.
Tanya Day, a Yorta Yorta woman, died in police custody at the Castlemaine police station on December 5th, 2017. This fundraiser—created by her daughter Apryl Day— will cover legal proceedings, accommodation, and expenses for Day’s extended family, enabling them to attend independent inquest hearings.
Fundraiser for the family of Joyce Clarke
Yamatji mother Joyce Clarke was shot and killed by police on a suburban street in Geraldton on September 17th, 2019. The first-class constable responsible for her death recently entered a not guilty plea ahead of his trial.
This fundraiser was set up by Debbie Kilroy of Sisters Inside. Funds will be donated to Clarke’s family to allow them to travel to court proceedings.
A campaign that asks non-Indigenous people to donate a portion of their income for operating on unceded Indigenous land. Funds raised are dispersed to First Nations people across Victoria.
A not-for-profit legal service that aims to advance human rights by representing a the vulnerable who would otherwise be unable to find legal representation.
Barpirdhila Foundation’s First Nations Artists & Community COVID-19 Appeal
A community-run non-for-profit organisation raising money to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Sisters Inside
A not-for-profit organisation that “advocates for the collective human rights of women and girls in prison, and their families”.
Organised by Debbie Kilroy of Sisters Inside. The campaign raises funds to free Aboriginal women from prison or pay outstanding warrants.
Black Rainbow
An Indigenous-owned not-for-profit social enterprise that advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQI+ peoples.
Black Lives Matter Rallies Happening This Week
Sydney
Stop All Black Deaths in Custody: Vigil for George Floyd
When: 3-5 PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: 20 Lee St, Chippendale
Organisers: The Indigenous Social Justice Association (ISJA), the Anticolonial Asian Alliance and the USYD Autonomous Collective Against Racism.
Wear black in remembrance and in solidarity
Melbourne
Stop Black Deaths in Custody – Justice for George Floyd #BLM
When: 2-5 PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: Parliament House
Organisers: Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR)
Adelaide
Solidarity with Minneapolis! Justice for George Floyd
When: 12-1:30 PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: Victoria Square (Tarndanyangga)
Organisers: Adelaide Campaign Against Racism and Fascism
Brisbane
Black Lives Matter – Stop Black Deaths In Custody Meanjin (BNE)
When: 1-5 PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: King George Square
Organisers: FISTT (Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties)
When: 12 PM, Saturday, June 6
Where: Queen Street Mall
Organisers: Independent
Canberra
Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest. Justice for George Floyd!
When: 3 PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: Embassy of the USA
Organisers: Independent
This event will gather outside the American embassy in Canberra to show to call for justice for George Floyd and other black victims of police brutality in the US.
“Stand with me in solidarity against the unlawful murder of George Floyd and the other African American men, women and children, who’s lives were unjustifiably taken because of their race,” the event says.
Newcastle
Stop Black Deaths in Custody – Justice for George Floyd #BLM
When: 2-5 PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: Civic Park
Organisers: FISTT (Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties)
Byron Bay
When: 2PM, Saturday, June 6th
Where: Byron Bay Recreation Grounds
Organisers: Bunyarra Culture Collective
But his horrific death did little to pierce this white bubble of privilege. The media barely blinked. The politicians did not emerge from their holiday retreats. None of the officers involved were disciplined or called to account.
