Kehinde Fajobi
An independent Australian senator, Lidia Thorpe, caused a stir on Monday when she interrupted King Charles’s parliamentary reception during his visit to Australia, shouting anti-colonial slogans.
Thorpe, a well-known advocate for Indigenous rights and a vocal critic of the monarchy, made headlines with her outburst, which quickly went viral on social media.
“You are not my king. 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,” Thorpe shouted as she was escorted out by security personnel.
Thorpe’s protest highlighted her ongoing opposition to the British monarchy, particularly in its historical role in the colonization of Indigenous lands. She has been a prominent voice in Australia’s ongoing debate about the monarchy and its impact on Indigenous communities.
The interruption has drawn attention to the country’s complex history with colonization and the ongoing calls for Indigenous reparations, adding another layer to the discussion surrounding Australia’s relationship with the British crown.