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ABC News
ABC News
National
By Inga Stunzner

'Happening in our backyard': Indigenous community marches in Black Lives Matter solidarity

The central Queensland community of Woorabinda has marched alongside local police and council in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Organiser Wunyugar Alwyn Doolan led the march and was surprised at the turnout in this community of less than 1,000 residents.

"I was a bit sceptical as to how many people would turn up. It was just about motivation, inspiration, getting people involved, and yarning with them prior to the event to come out and show some support," Mr Doolan said.

"It was a good little turn out."

The march was not just in solidarity with those protesting the death of George Floyd in the US, but also the more that 400 Aboriginal deaths in custody since 1991.

"It's happening here in our own backyard and the outrage of people putting up comments and posts of their concerns in the US but not looking at the detail, or history, of what's been happening here to us," Mr Doolan said.

Mr Doolan said this was the first march in Woorabinda for years and it might have seemed a little radical for some people.

"But these sorts of things have got to be out there in people's faces, it's got to be known," he said.

"Our mob just really has to take the fight for ourselves, as we always have, because nothing's been done about it and this is how we raise awareness to implement change."

Mr Doolan said he hoped non-Indigenous Australians would stand beside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and support them.

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