Amnesty International Australia condemns the attack at the Boorloo Invasion Day rally on January 26 and calls on WA Police and government to conduct an investigation into the incident as a hate crime, with charges that reflect the severity and intent of the alleged conduct.
The Federal Government must fully implement the Australian Human Rights Commission’s anti-racism framework and expand the Royal Commission into antisemitism to cover all forms of racism and far-right extremism.
This was a targeted act of violence against a First Nations–led rally and must be treated as a hate crime. Repeated attempts to frame or downplay the incident as anything less misrepresent its seriousness and risk normalising violence directed at First Nations people.
Specialist officers from the WA Police Bomb Response Unit and forensic teams confirmed that the device was a “fragment bomb,” packed with volatile chemicals and designed to explode on impact, which was thrown into a crowd of over 2000. Its design and placement indicate it was intended to maximise harm and instill fear among participants.
Amnesty International Australia understands that the Joint National Counter-Terrorism Team has been assisting WA Police in their investigation, highlighting the severity and significance of this incident.
“This rally was attended by thousands, including Elders, children, and babies. It is a miracle the device didn’t explode. This was a deliberate attack on First Nations people, designed to cause maximum harm and fear, it comes amid rising racist and hate-fuelled attacks,” said Kacey Teerman, Indigenous Rights Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia.
“First Nations people should not be fearful when gathering to protest, mourn or speak truth.”
Kacey Teerman, Indigenous Rights Campaigner at Amnesty International Australia
“First Nations people should not be fearful when gathering to protest, mourn or speak truth.
“The rally was a peaceful protest grounded in truth-telling and calls for justice. An attack on such a gathering is an attack on First Nations people, on peaceful protest and on people’s rights to live free from violence, vilification, and discrimination.“
Amnesty International Australia is deeply concerned by the response from authorities and sections of the media in the aftermath of the incident. The language used and framing adopted have consistently minimised the nature of the alleged conduct. This pattern reflects a broader failure to recognise and respond to violence directed at First Nations communities and contributes to an environment where such threats are not treated with the urgency they demand.
We are also alarmed by the lack of clear, timely and transparent communication from Western Australian Police. The handling of this incident raises serious questions about the police’s ability to effectively liaise with First Nations communities, adequately address threats, and respond to the rising tide of hate-motivated attacks. This failure highlights the urgent need for improved protocols, culturally appropriate engagement, and accountability at senior levels.
Fabian Yarran, rally organiser, emphasised the need for senior-level engagement in planning these events: “Negotiations around Invasion Day events and other major rallies must occur at the level of the Police Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner, not through low-level policing. These are complex, high-risk events that require senior leadership, accountability and oversight.”
This incident is part of a wider and growing pattern of hate-motivated attacks across the country. These acts underscore the urgent need for governments to protect communities from racism and extremist violence, adopt evidence-based approaches to address the root causes of hate, and expand the Royal Commission into antisemitism to cover all forms of racism and far-right extremism without delay.
We stand in solidarity with the rally organisers and with First Nations communities across Western Australia and the country.
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