Senator Lidia Thorpe challenges King in Australian Parliament
- Senator Lidia Thorpe confronted the King in Australia's Parliament, demanding land restitution and reparations for Indigenous Australians.
- Her protest coincided with a visit where Aunty Serena Williams performed a welcoming ceremony, emphasizing the need for royal acknowledgment of historical injustices.
- Despite recognizing the ceremony, the King did not provide the apology that Indigenous leaders were hoping for, highlighting ongoing tensions concerning reconciliation.
In Canberra, Australia on October 21, 2024, Senator Lidia Thorpe confronted the King during his address at Parliament House, emphatically demanding recognition of indigenous land rights. Dressed in traditional clothing, she shouted for the return of land and reparations for historical injustices inflicted upon her people, the Indigenous Australians. Her actions occurred amidst a backdrop of protests organized by around 20 demonstrators, who expressed dissatisfaction with the royal visit and the lack of an official apology for colonial wrongdoings. During this visit, Aunty Serena Williams from the Ngunnawal people conducted a "Welcome to Country" ceremony and highlighted the need for an apology from the monarchy, underscoring the responsibility towards acknowledging past injustices. Although the King recognized the welcome gesture and spoke about reconciliation, he did not provide the apology that many indigenous leaders had hoped for, leaving a sense of disappointment among those advocating for rights and recognition. The incident reflects ongoing tensions regarding colonial history and the struggle for Indigenous Australian rights, emphasizing the need for governmental and royal acknowledgment of past wrongs as part of the reconciliation process.