Hundreds gathered in Perth and Kalgoorlie and further rallies are expected in eastern cities against the jury's verdict.
"What do we want- Justice, when do we want it? NOW! What do we want- Justice, when do we want it? NOW!"
Hundreds of protesters marched in the West Australian town of Kalgoorlie after a jury acquitted a man of manslaughter over the death of Elijah Doughty.
In August last year, the 14 year old was killed after being hit by a car driven by a 56 year-old man, whose name has been suppressed by the court.
It is believed Elijah Doughty had stolen a motorbike from the man's home.
The town of Kalgoorlie was rocked with protests and upset for days following the boy's death.
Five police cars were damaged, one officer was injured and several people were arrested.
The case was moved 600 kilometres away to Perth for security reasons.
Last week the court heard the accused chased Elijah for 25 seconds at a speed around 67 kilometres per hour.
The court also heard the motorbike was smashed into three pieces and Elijah suffered multiple fatal injuries, including a massive skull fracture.
Late last week, when the verdict was delivered, there was no repeat of the violent events in Kalgoorlie.
This time things were more peaceful, with a a march down the main street moments after the verdict and a candlelight visual held at the site where the incident occurred.
The accused was found guilty of dangerous driving and faces a three-year prison sentence.
Federal Labor MP Linda Burney told Sky News while she doesn't have enough information to speak on the judge's ruling, she feels for the family and community of Kalgoorlie.
"The way the community is seeing this which is the death of another Aboriginal man and they believe that it is not fair and it is not justice in what happened and I think that's really important. This goes to the heart of what Aboriginal Australia is very worried and exercised about, and that is the deaths of young Aboriginal people."
Indigenous rapper Adam Briggs spoke to Huffington Post Australia after the jury's verdict.
"When it comes to a situation like Elijah's and the response and the reaction of people trying to justify what happened because he allegedly stole a motorbike, that is indicative of what Australia's relationship with Indigenous Australians...How do we unite when you keep killing our kids?"
Share
