Protesters march through Geraldton’s CBD calling for justice as inquest is held into death of Yamatji woman JC

Sounds of sirens, marching feet, chants for justice and crying relatives filled the streets as protesters marched through Geraldton’s CBD during the inquest into the police shooting death of Yamatji woman JC. About 50 people gathered for the march holding signs, posters and flags, calling for answers and justice over JC’s death. “Black lives matter, all lives matter. JC’s life matters,” the crowd yelled as they marched down Marine Terrace. Screaming out for their sister, friend and mother, the group cried shame on WA police for their relationship with Indigenous Australians. Police officers escorted the group as they marched, including district Supt Steve Post. Chanting the name of Const. Brent Wyndham, the officer who pulled the trigger, protesters called for him to be removed from Geraldton. Throughout the course of the inquest family and friends of JC stationed outside the courthouse in solidarity, have expressed their concerns at the fact Const. Wyndham was still living and working in Geraldton as a police officer. Activist and director of the National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project, Megan Krakouer, spoke to the crowd with a message to police and the Government to place an importance on building relationships. “I say this with so much respect, but so much anger right now — if you love your community, if you want to be with your community, then you sure as hell need to know your community,” she said. “The amount of people that are being over-policed is out of control. “Statistics are worsening right across the country and I put these back on the Government for not responding, for not listening, for not hearing that grassroots people in the community.” Ms Krakouer said more needed to be done about mental health support services for First Nations people. “We have the worst incarceration not only in Western Australia, but across the world, one in 12 of our men are in prison today,” she said. “Suicides are going the wrong way, it’s gone from one in 23 to one in 16, making it the leading cause of death to our people. “Where’s mental health in that situation? Listen to lived experience, they are non-existent and are nowhere to be seen.” Fellow speaker and protester Kathleen Councillor said they needed to fight for future generations. “This is the biggest fight and we’re going to continue fighting this fight for our people,” she said. “I don’t want my kids to have to be standing here and still fighting that fight.” Ms Councillor said JC’s death would never be forgotten. “This should have never ever happened to JC . . . they had her under control,” she said. “But all it took was 16 seconds. And that is the longest 16 seconds that we’re going to hold for the rest of our lives.”