Positive steps you can take to fight for justice for Cassius Turvey

WORDS BY FASHION JOURNAL

“And I want to put this message out stronger, stronger and stronger, kids matter. They really do.”

On October 13, Noongar-Yamatji boy Cassius Turvey was viciously attacked and subsequently murdered with a metal pole while heading home from school in Perth’s northeast. The attack was carried out by 21-year-old Jack Brearley, who allegedly hurled racial slurs at Cassius before leaving him with life-threatening head injuries. Surrounded by loved ones, Cassius died on the afternoon of October 23.

This attack serves as another harrowing reminder of the brutal racism that remains so prevalent in this country. As Gamilaroi woman and journalist Brooke Boney wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald, “If a Black child can’t walk home from school without fear then this isn’t a civil society. This is lawlessness. This is barbaric. This is shameful.”

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Yesterday, thousands gathered across the country to mourn Cassius’ death and pay tribute to his family. As many First Nations voices have noted, this is an immense loss for the Indigenous community and a time of grieving. As allies, it is another devastating impetus to strengthen our allyship and close the gap that exists between First Nations and non-First Nations Australians.

Ahead of yesterday’s vigils, Cassius’ mother, Mechelle Turvey, urged for calm and peaceful support – a sentiment that should be echoed as we continue to support both Cassius’ family and the wider First Nations community. “I don’t want any more violence, I am the only person who can get justice for my son; stand alongside me, and I appreciate everyone, but I need to call out for calm, I am angry, Cassius’ friends and family are angry, I don’t want any form of violence at any of these rallies in the name of my child,” she wrote.

Mechelle spoke to a crowd of thousands at the Perth rally, telling people not to exploit her son’s death for personal campaigns. “We know racism exists, but do not use my son’s tragedy as a platform to blow your trumpets,” she said. Mechelle said Cassius – a “shining star” and “people lover” – would be 15 forever. “And I want to put this message out stronger, stronger and stronger, kids matter. They really do,” she said. “We are all the same, we are all one people on this planet.”

As his family seeks funds to cover his funeral and legal costs for criminal compensation and justice, we – particularly as allies – have a responsibility to support, educate ourselves and each other and take action. Below, find a list of important resources.

How can I support?

The #justiceforcassius GoFundMe page

On behalf of Cassius’ family, his oldest cousin Michelle Wighton has organised a GoFundMe page to cover funeral-related and legal costs. With a goal of $250,000, the family has raised over $656,000 – and every little bit counts. “Any additional funds will be used to support local youth and to give back to the local community where Cassius lived and grew up, and this will be done in Cassius’ name,” Michelle Wighton wrote on October 31. Donate here.

Donate to other First Nations organisations

If you’d additionally like to donate to a First Nations organisation, there are a number of great ones around working towards different goals that ultimately will bring us closer towards equality. We’ve previously published a list ahead of National Reconciliation Week here, and another ahead of NAIDOC Week here. Reconciliation Australia also has a great list here.

Rallies and vigils

Though the majority of gatherings to honour Cassius took place yesterday, there are a few yet to happen. Tomorrow there will be a candlelight vigil held at 6pm at the Mirambeena Community Centre. At 7pm, there will be another candlelight vigil occurring on the Sunshine Coast at Cotton Tree Park. In Launceston, a rally will start at 12pm in Prince’s Square on Charles Street.

Become a better ally

We have a responsibility to continue educating and bettering ourselves as allies. The onus should not fall on First Nations people to do the work. While the nation continues to honour Cassius, we should take this as an opportunity to recognise our privilege while connecting with and amplifying First Nations voices in our communities.

To start with, some great resources include Pay the Rent, Healing Foundation, Common Ground, Deadly and Proud, First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and Sisters Inside. Important reading includes Terra Nullius by Claire Coleman, Sand Talk by Dr Tyson Yunkaporta and Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe. This is just a small selection – find more here.