Cassius Turvey’s mum thankful for outpouring of support and public outcry after her son’s death
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[Content warning: this story contains distressing themes.]
The mother of a young Indigenous Australian teen attacked and killed in Perth said the outpouring of community support her family has received is helping them heal.
Noongar-Yamatji schoolboy Cassius Turvey was walking home from school last October 13 when he was allegedly approached by a 21-year-old man who beat him with a metal pole. Authorities are looking into claims of racial motivation being involved in the attack.
The 15-year-old unfortunately died from his injuries 10 days later leaving his mother Mechelle, the rest of his family, and the nation, heartbroken.
Still reeling from the loss of her son, Mechelle admits she tries to be strong but said it's important to also embrace vulnerability when times are tough.
‘You know, you’re not the first person to say that.’ she said when asked how she was doing in an interview.
‘I've been telling people, “Don't ask me how I am”, because you haven't got that time to talk about it with me because it will be long,’ she said.
Cassius’ mother Mechelle, a support worker who is no stranger to trauma, described her journey through grief.
‘The generosity of people wanting to give us… simple things from hugs to a piece of their artwork, also getting behind the vigils… It's actually helping us all with our healing day-by-day,’ she added.
Mechelle took part in one such vigil, where she issued a call against more violence despite the emotions she carried.
‘I am angry, Cassius’s friends and family are angry, (but) I don’t want any form of violence, at any of these rallies in the name of my child. Violence breeds violence, I want calm and peace.’ she stressed.
‘I don’t want to fuel prejudices, biases. I don’t want to fuel the stereotypes of First Nations people as violent.’
Mechelle also took the opportunity to express her gratitude amid her ordeal.
‘My family and I send our love to each one of you for supporting, for raising voices and for showing so much kindness and respect. I am overwhelmed and eternally grateful.’
Sam May, an older cousin of Cassius, had mixed feelings over the massive support their family has been receiving.
Source: YouTube/9 News Australia
‘It makes me proud. We shouldn't have to be here though, I really wish I wasn't,’ he said.
Rallies have been held across Australia with thousands in attendance in response to the tragedy.
Chants of ‘Justice for Cassius’ and ‘Change in the name of Cassius’ have echoed in Aussie streets since his death. More rallies are expected in the coming days.
The incident has also understandably given rise to fear and uncertainty in Indigenous groups.
‘I don't want to walk down the streets worrying about my family, worrying about you guys,’ Yorta-Yorta teen Michael Illin-Lovett said in an address.
‘I just want to walk down the streets feeling proud to be an Aboriginal person.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is well aware of similar sentiments among Indigenous people.
‘We know that, in terms of Indigenous people, they are more likely to suffer violence in this country than non-Indigenous people.’
‘And so we need to acknowledge that, we need to do much better.’
He also expressed his sadness over Cassius’ tragic demise.
‘I think this is just such a human tragedy,’ he said.
‘And for Cassius's mum, for people who knew this young man, you look at his smile and you think that is a life that should have been just beginning and it was over all too soon.’
On November 9, the 21-year-old suspect who was charged with murder is set to make an appearance in Perth’s Stirling Garden Magistrates Court.
Have you been following the news of this case, members? What do you think should be done so nothing similar happens again?
Tell us your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Source: YouTube/ABC
The mother of a young Indigenous Australian teen attacked and killed in Perth said the outpouring of community support her family has received is helping them heal.
Noongar-Yamatji schoolboy Cassius Turvey was walking home from school last October 13 when he was allegedly approached by a 21-year-old man who beat him with a metal pole. Authorities are looking into claims of racial motivation being involved in the attack.
The 15-year-old unfortunately died from his injuries 10 days later leaving his mother Mechelle, the rest of his family, and the nation, heartbroken.
Still reeling from the loss of her son, Mechelle admits she tries to be strong but said it's important to also embrace vulnerability when times are tough.
‘You know, you’re not the first person to say that.’ she said when asked how she was doing in an interview.
‘I've been telling people, “Don't ask me how I am”, because you haven't got that time to talk about it with me because it will be long,’ she said.
Cassius’ mother Mechelle, a support worker who is no stranger to trauma, described her journey through grief.
Despite her grief, Mechelle Turvey is grateful for the outpouring of support. Credit: ABC
‘The generosity of people wanting to give us… simple things from hugs to a piece of their artwork, also getting behind the vigils… It's actually helping us all with our healing day-by-day,’ she added.
Mechelle took part in one such vigil, where she issued a call against more violence despite the emotions she carried.
‘I am angry, Cassius’s friends and family are angry, (but) I don’t want any form of violence, at any of these rallies in the name of my child. Violence breeds violence, I want calm and peace.’ she stressed.
‘I don’t want to fuel prejudices, biases. I don’t want to fuel the stereotypes of First Nations people as violent.’
Mechelle also took the opportunity to express her gratitude amid her ordeal.
‘My family and I send our love to each one of you for supporting, for raising voices and for showing so much kindness and respect. I am overwhelmed and eternally grateful.’
Sam May, an older cousin of Cassius, had mixed feelings over the massive support their family has been receiving.
Source: YouTube/9 News Australia
‘It makes me proud. We shouldn't have to be here though, I really wish I wasn't,’ he said.
Rallies have been held across Australia with thousands in attendance in response to the tragedy.
Cassius’ family remembers him as ‘a shining star’ full of kindness and fun. Credit: 9 Now/9 News
Chants of ‘Justice for Cassius’ and ‘Change in the name of Cassius’ have echoed in Aussie streets since his death. More rallies are expected in the coming days.
The incident has also understandably given rise to fear and uncertainty in Indigenous groups.
‘I just want to walk down the streets feeling proud to be an Aboriginal person.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is well aware of similar sentiments among Indigenous people.
‘We know that, in terms of Indigenous people, they are more likely to suffer violence in this country than non-Indigenous people.’
‘And so we need to acknowledge that, we need to do much better.’
He also expressed his sadness over Cassius’ tragic demise.
Cassius’ tragic death has triggered an outpouring of support from the Australian public. Credit: YouTube/Inside Edition
‘I think this is just such a human tragedy,’ he said.
‘And for Cassius's mum, for people who knew this young man, you look at his smile and you think that is a life that should have been just beginning and it was over all too soon.’
On November 9, the 21-year-old suspect who was charged with murder is set to make an appearance in Perth’s Stirling Garden Magistrates Court.
Have you been following the news of this case, members? What do you think should be done so nothing similar happens again?
Tell us your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Source: YouTube/ABC
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