Mick Stacey, Ballina
It’s great to see the outpouring of concern re Deaths in Custody.
Back in the ‘80s, my partner and I were active supporters in the organisation, Committee To Defend Black Rights, which was directly involved in bringing about two Royal Commissions. None of which brought about anything positive, except the publicity (one thing that came to light, was that it wasn’t just First Nations people who were dying in custody).
Since then the rate of incarceration of Indigenous Australians has skyrocketed, and there have been 432 black deaths in custody. Nothing to be proud of as a nation.
In that time the police have been given a lot more power, and more than once, my partner and I have been victim of their viciousness and lies, and we know others that can tell similar stories.
I acknowledge it is not an easy job, but just like the US, I think we are long overdue for a culture change. After all, they are workers, we do pay their wages, and supposedly, they make an oath to the Queen to serve the public with honour.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
