Another man has died after being taken into police custody—this time in Brunswick, Melbourne. The 43-year-old became unresponsive while in the hands of Victoria Police on Friday, June 6, and died days later. This death is now the subject of a homicide investigation.
‘We are devastated—but not surprised. This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a horrifying pattern of police violence and brutality across so-called Australia, said Debbie Kilroy.’
In just the past couple of weeks:
- Two Aboriginal men have been killed by police.
- A child was shot.
- A man remains in a coma after being brutalised by police in South Australia.
- And now, another death in custody in Victoria.
This is not public safety. This is a state-sanctioned killing machine working overtime.
‘Policing does not keep us safe—it kills us. Again and again, we are told to wait for the facts, for the investigation, for the “full story.” But we already know the story. We live it. Black, disabled, poor, migrant, and criminalised communities live it. The names change, but the brutality stays the same,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
We must divest from policing now.
‘We do not need more inquiries. We need action. We need to stop pouring billions into a system that is structurally violent, racist, and beyond reform,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘The only people who keep us safe are us—our communities, our care, our connection. Not cops,’ said Tabitha Lean.
The National Network stand in grief and rage with the family of the man who died in Brunswick and all families who have lost loved ones to police violence. Enough is enough.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
