Police misinform Black Lives Matter rally organisers over charge withdrawal

Police will continue to prosecute organisers of a Black Lives Matter rally,despite incorrectly telling the pair that charges against them were being withdrawn.

A police spokeswoman issued a statement on Wednesday saying a “miscommunication by Victoria Police” had occurred afterThe Age reported the organisers’ relief at being told charges would be dropped.

From left,Crystal McKinnon,Meriki Onus and Tarneen Onus-Williams announcing their intention to go ahead with the rally in 2020.

From left,Crystal McKinnon,Meriki Onus and Tarneen Onus-Williams announcing their intention to go ahead with the rally in 2020.Justin McManus

Protest organisers Crystal McKinnon and Meriki Onus were due to appear in court this month to fight charges of breaching the chief health officer’s directions over their role in planning the June 2020 march against Aboriginal deaths in custody,which attracted about 10,000 people.

On Tuesday,they expressed relief at being notifiedthe charges would be withdrawn as their legal team prepared for a contested hearing.

When The Age put questions to police about the charges on Tuesday,police said they would not comment on matters before the court.

The police spokeswoman on Wednesday said the women had been incorrectly told that the charges would be dropped and police would still seek to prosecute the matter.

Thousands of people have gathered at State Parliament for the Black Lives Matter protest.

“A miscommunication by Victoria Police wrongly identified the matter would be withdrawn,” she said.

“We can confirm the charges have not been withdrawn and the matter will proceed at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

“A 41-year-old woman from Geelong North and a 34-year-old woman from Reservoir were charged with breaching chief health officer directions.”

The two women – McKinnon,an Amangu Yamaji woman and Indigenous research fellow at RMIT,and Onus,a Gunai and Gunditjmara woman and activist – were originally fined $1652 each for breaching coronavirus restrictions when they organised the rally.

The Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne attracted 10,000 people in June 2020.

The Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne attracted 10,000 people in June 2020.Joe Armao

Theychose to oppose the penalty and were scheduled to contest the matter in court this month.

At the time of the rally in June 2020,the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis had just made headlines.

Organisers said they hoped the rally would highlight systemic racism and Aboriginal deaths in custody. But the event was criticised by senior police,government officials and the chief health officer over concerns it may spread COVID-19.

At the time,stay-at-home measures in Victoria had banned public gatherings of more than 20 people.

The matter is due to be heard in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on July 15.

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Erin Pearson covers crime and justice for The Age.

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