BOORLOO RALLY TO CALL FOR UNIT 18 YOUTH PRISON TO BE ABOLISHED

A sign-painting event was held on Monday night in preparation for Wednesday’s rally. Credit: Supplied

BY GERARD MAZZA

Readers and listeners are warned this story contains the name and story of a person who has passed away.

Protesters in Boorloo/Perth plan to rally on Wednesday to call for the Unit 18 youth prison to be abolished.

The rally will be led by the family of Cleveland Dodd, the sixteen-year-old who died in the custody of WA’s youth justice system last week.

The rally is part of a national day of action calling for justice, treaty and truth-telling.

Arrente woman and event organiser Jacqui Elwell said Cleveland’s death was entirely preventable.

“We’re told over and over that locking children in Unit 18 places children in acute danger, but government refuses to act,” she said.

“There’s really a move in this state to do something better for our youth. It’s about standing up, standing together, and making that change for a better society for our youth here in WA.”

Listen to the full interview with Jacqui Elwell:

The rally will take place from 5 pm at Forrest Place.

You can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN on 13 92 76.