Lidia Thorpe has opted to participate in a “abolish the monarchy” demonstration in Melbourne later this week rather than go to a memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II in Canberra.
The Greens senator made it known that she would miss the official memorial service for Her Majesty on Thursday, which will be conducted in Parliament House’s Great Hall.
All federal lawmakers have been invited to the event by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Greens leader Adam Bandt is anticipated to attend.
But Ms. Thorpe will fly across the state to a Native American healing ceremony before concluding her day by taking part in a protest.
According to her statement to The Australian, “On September 22, I’ll be grieving our forefathers and our elderly people who fought in the Frontier Wars and who died fighting for this country.”
“I’ll be marching in protest of the more than 500 deaths in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody after a healing ceremony.”
By bringing people together to put an end to the conflict that erupted in 1788, a treaty is the answer to the injustices we experience.
The healing ceremony was planned by the Djirri Djirri Dancers, and it will feature a ceremonial fire, music, and dance.
In a Facebook post, the group stated, “We decided the best day to organize a healing ceremony would be Thursday the 22nd, the day set aside by the government to “pay homage” to a person living on the other side of the planet.”
“We want to reclaim this space for our Sorry Business, as a time to mourn and remember our true kings and queens (repurposing those terms as well), and to remember them, honour them, celebrate them, and heal the people who are suffering during these difficult times.”
Later on in the day, a different group called Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR) will organize a protest.
‘A collection of young Aboriginal people committed to the cause of decolonization and the concept,’ the group calls itself.
Demonstrators will march in protest of the injustices meted out to Aboriginal Australians in numerous jurisdictions, including Victoria and Queensland.
WAR said on Facebook, “This is a demonstration against racist colonial imperialism.”
“This is a position against the ongoing crimes against marginalized Asian, Black, and First Nations groups.
“We demand justice, the truth, and everyone’s accountability, and we do not support benefactors or Stolenwealth.” Justice for everyone.
The monarchy is attacked by Lidia Thorpe.
Ms. Thorpe has criticized the monarchy in the past and is currently working to have a treaty with the First Nations.
Ms. Thorpe protested at her oath of office in August by raising her fist over her head and calling Queen Elizabeth II a “colonizing queen.”
She also criticized Mr. Albanese’s attempt to hold a referendum to add an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Ms. Thorpe called it a “waste of money and time” and said that First Nations should be included in treaties instead.
“The money spent on a referendum would be better spent on what our communities need,” she said.
The indigenous leaders who will lead the Indigenous Voice to Parliament have also been derided by Ms. Thorpe as “captain’s selections.”
A working group has been established by Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney to advance the subject toward a vote within the next two years.
Noel Pearson, a well-known leader, Pat Anderson, an attorney who specializes in human rights, and Megan Davis were also members of the group.
Senator Thorpe, however, argued that the emphasis should have been on grassroots leaders and activists as opposed to these “captain’s selections” who did not represent indigenous perspectives.
We want to discuss grassroots, after all. They haven’t been very far or wide, since I don’t notice anyone distinctive on the list I’ve seen so far,’ she remarked.
There is a lot of work to be done, and since the announcement, grassroots individuals have been getting in touch with me to say that they are unhappy and that they need to improve.
After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, Ms. Thorpe went on a raging Twitter rant.
“They kicked off our kids’ heads and buried our kids in the sand, and you want me to come pay my respects?” Mrs. Thorpe penned.
“This isn’t about a person; it’s about the institution she represents and the genocide they’re responsible for,” the speaker declared.
The previous day, Ms. Thorpe wrote an opinion piece for The Guardian in which she claimed that for Indigenous Australians, the “legacy of the monarchy” was “education that erases us and jails that murder us.”
The First Nations people of this nation were the target of a war declared on these soils by the “British empire.” The result was carnage. And you expect me to observe a moment of silence? Ms. Thorpe announced.
“Due of the colonizers’ worldwide aim, colonial governments are involved in continuing the crimes against First Nations people. It is foolish and hurtful to assume that people can stand and celebrate that.