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The mother of Cassius Turvey has called for calm in the community ahead of nationwide vigils planned in the wake of the Aboriginal teenager's death.
Key points:
- Mechelle Turvey wants the vigils to bring about change
- But Ms Turvey does not want them to generate hate in the community
- She has been praised for her humanity and strength
Cassius died on October 23, 10 days after he was allegedly beaten while walking home from school with a group of friends in Middle Swan, in Perth's north-east.
The 15-year-old's death sparked a wave of grief and concern, but friends of the family said the tragedy has also led to profound support and solidarity among the Indigenous and wider community.
A family-led candlelight vigil will be held at Midland Oval in Perth at 5:30pm on Monday and community vigils have been organised in regional towns including Geraldton and Northam.
Further gatherings will take place across the country on Wednesday.
Mum's humanity 'remarkable'
Megan Krakouer, who is a friend of the family, said Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, wanted the rallies to bring about change.
"[Ms Turvey] has said things like 'I don't want to fuel any hate because it's not good for our community'," Ms Krakouer said.
"We just need to stamp what's happened out with all children."
Ms Krakouer has praised Ms Turvey for her strength and compassion after losing her son.
"She's comforting and supporting so many others right across the state, but her love for people and the humanity of this woman is just remarkable. I've never seen anything like it," she said.
Ms Krakouer joined hundreds of community members at a barbecue for Cassius in Midland on Saturday.
Mother drawing strength from supporters
She said Ms Turvey was amazed by the support of those in attendance.
"It really resonated with Mechelle and that's where she's drawing a lot of strength from," she said.
"The compassion, the spirit, the love by many right across the nation has been really quite beautiful.
"Black, white, brown coming together."
Ms Krakouer has helped organise vigils across Western Australia, and she said the diversity of those willing to pay tribute to Cassius had been humbling.
"What's been one of the most beautiful things is non-Indigenous people organising some of the rallies," she said.
"They wanted to do something and they wanted to reach out and help in some way, so they reached out to myself on Facebook and said we'd like to organise a rally I said 'yeah not a problem'."
In addition to the rallies, a GoFundMe page was created by Cassius' cousin on behalf of Ms Turvey, which raised nearly $500,000 in six days.
Call to protect Indigenous children
The Aboriginal Family Legal Service has called on the state government to introduce an independent Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in reaction to the death.
In a statement, the service said the position would ensure Aboriginal children were protected.
"We support the Noongar Nation and share outrage over the minimisation of the horrific killing of young, innocent Cassius," the statement read.
"We shouldn't have to ask again, but here we are, why are the priority needs of Aboriginal children and young people being ignored?"
Premier Mark McGowan reiterated his condolences to the family of Cassius.
"Like everyone I feel for the family," he said.
"It's a terrible, terrible thing for a mother to lose her son, just incomprehensible, so people being supportive of the family, I'm very sympathetic to.
"I just hope the family and the community get some solace out of that."
Monday night vigils
- Midland Oval, Perth (WA) at 5:30pm
- Northam Park, Northam (WA) at 5:30pm
- Mitchell St Community Centre, Geraldton (WA) at 5:30pm
- Farrall Oval, Stratton (WA) at 5:45pm
- Ngapuny Place, Warmun (WA) at 5pm
- Lismore Environment Centre (NSW) at 6:30pm
- Burton's Reserve, Cygnet, (TAS) at 7pm