King Charles’ speech in Australia’s Parliament on Monday was interrupted by a protest from indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe. Shortly after the King had completed talking, Thorpe shouted from the again of the corridor, declaring, “You aren’t our king,” and demanding the return of indigenous lands.
She accused Britain of historic atrocities and referred to as for an apology for the colonisation of Australia. Thorpe, a long-time advocate for Aboriginal rights, continued to heckle as safety guards escorted her out.
She demanded a treaty between Britain and Australia’s Indigenous inhabitants and accused British colonizers of genocide. “Give us our land again. Give us what you stole from us,” she shouted, whereas carrying a standard possum pores and skin cloak.
BREAKING:
The tip of King Charles speech has been interrupted by a protest from an indigenous campaigner.
Senator Lidia Thorpe shouted on the stage “you aren’t our King”, “this isn’t your land”.
She demanded the King apologise for British atrocities in Australia pic.twitter.com/ZytV8X9OC9— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) October 21, 2024
As Thorpe was being faraway from the chamber, she continued to criticise Britain’s position in Australia’s historical past, referencing the destruction of Indigenous lives and land. The King, watching from the stage, remained composed as Thorpe was taken out of the room. He and Queen Camilla left the reception shortly after.
This protest marked a stark second throughout Charles’ first go to to Australia since turning into King in 2022.
Thorpe, an outspoken activist, has beforehand used her platform to protest the British monarchy. In 2022, she raised her fist in a Black energy salute throughout her swearing-in ceremony, referring to the Queen as “the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Whereas the royal go to has been largely well-received, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others praising Charles’ long-standing advocacy for local weather change, Thorpe’s protest highlighted the continued tensions over Australia’s colonial historical past.
Regardless of the disruption, Buckingham Palace didn’t provide any particular remark, solely expressing gratitude for the nice and cozy reception Charles obtained throughout his go to.
(With inputs from Reuters, The New York Occasions)
