Governor's statue spray-painted in Perth ahead of protest
The statue of Western Australia's first governor has been colourfully decorated, just hours ahead of a thousands-strong Black Lives Matter rally at Langley Park in Perth.
The statue of Sir James Stirling was not hauled over or destroyed like others have been around the world in recent days, but its hands and neck were sprayed red and an Indigenous flag was sprayed onto the base.
A statue of Western Australia's first governor Sir James Stirling has been spray-painted in Perth. 9News
Stirling led the attack now known as the Pinjarra massacre, against a group of Binjareb Noongar people, in 1834.
About 8500 people are expected to attend the rally tomorrow, despite warnings from federal and state authorities.
"What worries me is the potential for an outbreak of coronavirus," Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt said.
Stirling led an attack on a group of Aboriginal people in the 1800s. 9News
He said an outbreak of the virus had the capacity to cause "great destruction" in Aboriginal communities.
There has been no evidence of community spread in Western Australia, but Mr Wyatt's concern has been echoed by medical experts, including Australia's Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy.
Protest organisers insist they are taking every precaution and that their cause won't wait for the pandemic to end.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
