17 March URGENT PROTEST ACTION ON DEATH OF MR WARD PARLIAMENT WED 17 MARCH 2010, 12.30PM

Dear Friends & Supporters,

The Deaths In Custody Watch Committee (WA) Inc urgently needs your support at an urgent public protest action at Parliament House on Wednesday 17th March 2010, 12.30pm. 

Download and print a flyer below.

 It has been two years since Mr. Ward's horrific and wholly avoidable death in the back of a prison van not fit to transport humans in.  Justice delayed, is justice denied!

1.            The State Government's has failed to deliver three key demands from the Australian community in what can only be described as one of the worst human rights tragedies in Australian living memory.

2.            Compensation to Mr. Ward's family, extended family and community - Mrs. Ward is distressed and is virtually destitute. This can only be described as a disgraceful situation!

3.            Termination of the government contract with G4S – The Attorney General & Minister for Corrective Services, Mr. Porter claims that the contract with G4s cannot be terminated.  This is not true! It can and must be terminated!

Charges be laid against those responsible - Charges have not been laid.  This is outrageous!

 ACT NOW!

Join the protest on the steps of Parliament House at 12.30pm, Wednesday 17th March 2010;

•             Organise your family, friends and work colleagues to join the protest;

•             Send the attached flyer out to all your networks, now;

•             Send this email and attached flyer to your unions, student, community, political and religious     organisation asking them to distribute to all their members as a matter of urgency;

•             Email your local members of parliament and ask they distribute to their constituents;

•             Print the attached flyer and hand out in your workplace, on trains, buses, street corners and public events;

Bring Placards & Banners

STOP DEATHS IN CUSTODY

JUSTICE FOR MR WARD

COMPENSATION NOW

G4S OUT

NO MORE DEATHS IN CUSTODY

GOVT SHAME

JUSTICE NOW

NATIONAL SHAME

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MEDIA ALERT

16 March 2010

Justice delayed, is justice denied

On Wednesday March 17 at 12:30PM, family members and supporters of Mr Ward will gather on the steps of Parliament House to protest the inaction by the State Government, and the Department of Public Prosecutions following the death of Mr Ward in 2008.

It has been more than two years since Mr Ward's horrific and wholly avoidable death in the back of a prison van. Since Mr Ward’s death, the State Government has failed to deliver on three key demands from the Australian community — justice has not been served.

Mr Ward’s family and supporters are demanding:

1.    That compensation be paid to Mr Ward's family;

2.    That the Department of Public Prosecutions lay charges against those responsible for Mr    Ward’s death;

3.    That the Government terminates its contract for prisoner transportation with G4S.     

The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA) believe that the Attorney General and Minister for Corrective Services has misled the public by claiming that the contract with G4S cannot be terminated.

The protest will be addressed by:

•    Daisy Ward, Mr Ward’s cousin;
•    John Bedford,      A/CEO and Executive Officer, Aboriginal Legal Service WA;
•    Rev Ken Williams, Moderator, Uniting Church in Western Australia; and
•    Hon Giz Watson MLC, Greens WA.

A media conference will be held at 12.15pm on Wednesday March 17, 2010 at Parliament House.

Media Contacts:

Marc Newhouse, Deaths in Custody Watch Committee, 0415 074 602

Hon Giz Watson MLC, Greens WA, 0414 837 753