Bunbury Black Lives Matter vigil promotes harmony

Members of the Bunbury community showed their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement on Saturday with a peaceful vigil.

The vigil promoted the awareness of injustice against Indigenous Australians, following the protests which gained momentum across the United States after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

People showed their support for the cause by bringing Aboriginal flags and posters with messages such as “Black Lives Matter”, “432 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991, 0 convictions” and “Speak up against racism”.

A traditional smoking ceremony was held and Aboriginal Elders for the Bunbury region spoke to the crowd.

Noongar woman Charmaine Williams said it was tremendous to see people show their support at the rally.

“The main message is black lives matter because of the percentage of our people incarcerated, the deaths that took place in prisons, the deaths that are still occurring in prisons,” she said.

“Look at it as a way to understand what we black people are going through.

“For them to come forward and put themselves with us is making a stand and shows everyone cares.

“The more movements we get across hopefully everyone can come along with positive thoughts of what’s happening in this country and in this world today.

“We want people to open up their hearts and hear what people are saying and get away from the negativity because you aren’t born racist.”

Another vigil was held in Dalyellup on Monday afternoon.