Tisha Hickey’ s 21st birthday party last September turned into a nightmare when police in the western Sydney suburb of Riverstone raided her home. Tisha was brutally treated by the police who crushed her, tore off her belly button ring and lifted her skirt. The encounter left her with severe bruising on her stomach, arms and legs. Tisha, five family members and a family friend were then slapped with serious, utterly false charges of riot.
Why? This family is being persecuted because they are Aboriginal and because they have continued to campaign to expose the truth behind the death of teenager TJ Hickey as a result of a Redfern Police chase in 2004.
The Freedom Socialist Party, Radical Women and the Indigenous Social Justice Association – Melbourne are supporting a united front mobilisation around the demands: Drop all charges against those arrested at Tisha’ s 21st; Stop persecuting the Aboriginal Hickey family and Down with racist police attacks!
On 23 May, the five adults facing charges will appear in the Parramatta Court, corner of George and Marsden Street. Join the united front rally, which will be chaired by Auntie Bowie Hickey, outside the court at 9 am.
For more information or to take part in the Melbourne contingent, call 9388-0062. Donations to assist Victorians to travel to Sydney for the rally can be sent to ISJA – Melb, PO Box 308, Brunswick, Vic 3056.
