A national call to protest over the killing of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in the Northern Territory was made and around a thousand Melbourne demonstrators answered, blocking a CBD street for a few hours.
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"It was incredible to see so many people come out to support the call for justice and stand with all out in Yuendemu," Arrernte woman and organiser of Melbourne protest Celeste Liddel said.
Protesters assembled on Wednesday evening in the city's centre, the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets, in a sudden shower, to read multiple statements calling for truth and justice.
"We are hurting. There is no fairness, honesty or respect. To all the people coming along to protest, I want to say thank you from my people," a statement by senior Warlpiri man Harry Jakamarra Nelson read.
While protesters and bystanders listened, two lines of demonstrators with reflective jackets formed at both ends of the street
Their blockade of tramlines at a peak hour of the CBD caught Yarra Trams off guard, with one of their workers claiming "they would play it by the ear as the protest unfolded."
Services were affected for over three hours while the peaceful protest marched forward towards the steps of Victorian Parliament.
Burning some leaves to cleanse the area while they walked on chanting "always was, always will be aboriginal land", protesters stopped for 15 minutes in front of Melbourne East police station.
They spilled cranberry juice in front of a line of stoic police officers posted at the door, watching as protesters held their hands up shouting: "No justice, no peace, for racist police."
Many of the protesters voiced their frustration with police.
Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a Walpiri man from Walker's community that acted as a speaker during the mining conference protest, claimed they wanted justice for all Indigenous First Nations people across Australia.
A 28-year old male NT police officer was charged on Wednesday night with one count of murder, NT Police said in a statement.
"I feel more relief, I'm smiling now. Thank you for all the cities supporting," Ned Hargraves said.
Australian Associated Press
