Some Indigenous leaders have criticized an Australian senator’s criticism of King Charles, as she faces backlash over violent images of the monarch briefly posted to her social media accounts. grandma.
Lidia Thorpe, an Aboriginal woman, made global headlines when she shouted “you are not my king” and “this is not your land” before being escorted away from a royal event in Canberra on Monday.
The independent senator’s protest was praised by some activists as brave, but was condemned by other prominent Indigenous Australians as “shameful” and disrespectful.
Thorpe defended her actions at the event, but said a cartoon later posted to her Instagram account was inappropriate.
The senator said the drawing – which depicts the beheaded king along with his crown – was shared by a staff member without her knowledge.
“I deleted it as soon as I saw it. I would not knowingly share anything that could be seen to encourage violence against anyone.”
The image drew condemnation, adding to the scrutiny of her actions on Monday.
Aunt Violet Sheridan, an Aboriginal elder who officially welcomed the King and Queen Camilla to Ngunnawal country, told Guardian Australia: “Lidia Thorpe does not speak for me or my people, and I certainly that she didn’t talk much about First Nations People.”
Nova Peris – a former senator, the first Aboriginal woman in parliament and a lifelong republican – also called Thorpe’s actions “shameful and disappointing”.
“Australia is moving forward on a journey of reconciliation… no matter how difficult the journey, it requires respectful dialogue, mutual understanding and a shared commitment to healing – not destructive actions.” division takes attention away from the progress we are making as a nation.” country,” she wrote on X.
However, other prominent Indigenous activists have praised Thorpe’s stance.
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, a Bundjalung lawyer and author, said there was “nothing more harmful or disrespectful” than inviting the monarchy to visit the country in the first place, given its history.
“When Thorpe spoke, she understood her ancestors.”
Speaking on Tuesday, Thorpe said she interrupted the King’s parliamentary welcome ceremony after repeated written requests for a meeting and “respectful conversation” with the monarch were ignored ignore.
She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she “wanted the world to know the plight of our people in this country” and sought an apology from the King.
“Why didn’t he say: ‘I’m sorry for the thousands of massacres that happened in this country and my ancestors and my kingdom are responsible for it’?” she said.
A chorus of Australian politicians including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have also criticized her protest and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the monarch.
When asked by reporters whether it was “disgraceful” for Australian politicians to shout at the King, Sir Keir replied: “Look, I think the King is doing a fantastic job. What an incredible ambassador, not just for our country but across the Commonwealth.” .”
“He is out there performing his public duty despite the health challenges he personally faces.”
Albanese said Thorpe had failed to meet “the standard of behavior that Australians expect of parliamentarians”, while opposition leader Peter Dutton called for Thorpe to resign.
“I really don’t care what Dutton says,” Thorpe told the ABC in response.
“I’ll be here for the next three years so get used to telling the truth.”
