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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
Independent senator and Indigenous activist, Lidia Thorpe publicly accused King Charles of genocide during his visit to Australia’s Parliament House on Monday, stirring controversy during the British monarch’s official trip.
King Charles, who was visiting Australia for the 16th time, and making his first major foreign appearance since a cancer diagnosis, was interrupted by Thorpe moments after delivering a speech in which he acknowledged “the traditional owners of the lands.”
“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty,” BBC quoted her as saying.
Thorpe, a long-time critic of Australia’s colonial past, defiantly declared, “This is not your land, you are not my King,” as she attempted to approach King Charles, only to be stopped by security and subsequently removed from the chamber.
Despite the outburst, King Charles appeared unshaken, engaging in conversation with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while remaining on the podium.
Thorpe’s protest sharply contrasted with the otherwise positive reception the King and Queen Camilla received from both dignitaries and the public during their visit.
Prime Minister Albanese took the opportunity to praise King Charles for his years of climate change advocacy, stating, “The Australia you first knew has grown and evolved in so many ways.
“Yet through these decades of change, our bonds of respect and affection have matured – and endured.”
The royal visit also included a stop at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where the King and Queen were greeted by over a thousand supporters.
The royal couple is set to continue their tour in Sydney before heading to Samoa for a Commonwealth meeting later in the week.
The post ‘You’re Not My King, Give Us Our Land Back’ – Australian Senator Accuses King Charles Of Genocide During Parliamentary Visit appeared first on Naija News.