Tue Oct 22 16:05:42 UTC 2024: Lidia Thorpe, an Australian Indigenous senator, garnered international attention for her confrontation with King Charles during his visit to Australia. During her speech at Parliament House, she boldly declared, “You are not my king,” and accused the British monarchy of committing genocide against Indigenous people, demanding reparations and a treaty.
Thorpe, the first Aboriginal senator from Victoria since 2020, is known for her activism for Indigenous rights, including issues surrounding the justice system and environmental matters. Her past remarks include calling the late Queen Elizabeth II a “coloniser,” which resulted in controversy and backlash.
After King Charles’s speech, Thorpe aggressively confronted him, urging him to return stolen land and acknowledge the suffering of Indigenous Australians. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott criticized Thorpe’s actions as “unfortunate political exhibitionism.”
Thorpe’s record of controversial statements and actions includes previous protests and her initial swearing-in ceremony where she raised a “black power” fist. Overall, her recent confrontation with the monarch highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the British monarchy and Indigenous rights in Australia.
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