Free Lex Wotton
Stop Aboriginal deaths in custody!
Rally
12 noon, Saturday 1 November
Old GPO, Bourke St Mall, Melbourne
On 24 October an all white jury found Lex Wotton, a Palm Island Aboriginal leader, guilty of riot. Lex Wotton participated in the November 2004 protest against the killing of respected community member Mulrunji, while in police custody. Lex Wotton has toured the country highlighting the ongoing injustice of deaths in custody and the plight of the people of Palm Island. Lex Wotton, who is a plumber by trade, has called for support from unions and the community to ensure that Aboriginal deaths in custody continue to get the attention they deserve.
Update:
ABC News
7 November 2008
Lex Patrick Wotton has been jailed for six years for inciting a riot on Palm
Island off north Queensland in 2004. He will be eligible for parole in July 2010.
The sentence was handed down in the District Court in Townsville by Judge
Michael Shanahan.
Two weeks ago, jury in Brisbane found Wotton guilty of inciting the 2004
riot following the death in custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee.
Last year, Queensland Police Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley was found not
guilty of Mulrunji’s death and this week police involved in quelling the
riot were awarded bravery medals.