Qld: Big crowd expected for bail hearing

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2004
Qld: Big crowd expected for bail hearing

Large crowds of protesters are expected outside the Townsville Magistrates Court today
for the appearance of 26 people charged over the Palm Island riot.

Rioting islanders torched the Aboriginal settlement's watchhouse, police station and
residential barracks more than a week ago.

The riot broke out following the release of the results of a post-mortem examination
of 36-year-old CAMERON DOOMADGEE, who died in police custody on November the 19th.

The post-mortem found Mr DOOMADGEE had several broken ribs and a ruptured liver.

More than 200 people gathered in Townsville on Friday to protest the high number of
Aboriginal black deaths in custody and to call for a greater degree of Aboriginal control
in their local communities.

Palm Island local BRAD FOSTER, who was at the meeting, says he expects a large, but
peaceful, demonstration outside the court today.

AAP RTV jfs/ved/lm/psm/

KEYWORD: PALM (BRISBANE)

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