BRISBANE—Hundreds of Aborigines are expected to rally outside Brisbane City Hall on Wednesday to raise concerns about a rising tide of violence against young indigenous men.
Organiser Sam Watson said the 7pm (AEST) rally would highlight recent attacks in the areas of Logan, Woodridge, Inala, Ipswich and Caboolture.
Mr Watson said there appeared to be a growth in Los Angeles-style gangs, particularly among the South Pacific islander community, adopting colours and using mobile phones to co-ordinate gang members.
But the violence was not isolated to these gangs.
"People are concerned about the safety of their young people at schools, in the parks, shopping centres," Mr Watson said.
"We've already had one death where an Aboriginal man was bashed to death by a group of young men who are now facing court.
"In Ipswich over the last two weeks there's been one young boy who's been bashed at school and rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
"What we're attempting to do now is have a general community meeting amongst our people and try to work out how best to deal with the situation, particularly coming into Christmas."
Mr Watson said many young Aboriginal people were getting agitated and wanted to "strike back".
But he said the best way to handle the matter would be to work co-operatively with other cultural groups within the communities.
"We want to look at whether we need to meet with elders from these other communities," Mr Watson said.
"We have migrant communities in these suburbs as well.
"Perhaps we need to work out protocols and ways in which we can work alongside each other, and live alongside each other."
