Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne (ISJA Melbourne)

Ahepa Greek School
Ivanhoe Girls Grammar, Marshall Street, Ivanhoe

ISJA Melbourne is a grassroots, multi-racial activist group which campaigns against Indigenous deaths in custody. Phone: 03-9388-0062. Web: www.isja-msg.com

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR:

The Indigenous Social Justice Association — Melbourne (ISJA – Melb) was established in January 2005 to organise a Melbourne rally and march as part of a National Day of Action (NDA) to mark the first anniversary of the death of Kamilaroi teenager, TJ Hickey in Redfern, and to demand a fresh inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death. Those organising t

his NDA held consultations with interested members of the Victorian Aboriginal community. Participants in these consultations enthusiastically supported the proposal for a Melbourne rally to demand justice for TJ but asked that this not be a one off event but part of an ongoing effort to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. ISJA – Melb is a grassroots, multi-racial activist group — open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people — which works collaboratively with others around the country campaigning to stop Indigenous deaths in custody. ISJA – Melb works in collaboration with those who have lost a loved one in custody and makes its decisions democratically with all meeting participants having an equal say. ISJA — Melb primary objective is to stop Aboriginal deaths in custody and support Aboriginal peoples’ quest for justice. However, recognises that the struggle to end Indigenous deaths in custody cannot be separated from the wider campaign for Indigenous rights. This is why we also work to advance campaigns to recognise the Sovereignty of Australia’s many Indigenous nations and the negotiation of genuine treaties with these nations and why we oppose the Federal Government’s intervention into NT Aboriginal communities. ISJA — Melb calls for:
• A massive reduction in the rate in Indigenous imprisonment which is currently 13 times to the rate for non-Indigenous Australians.
• The full implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, including those Recommendations that both arrest and imprisonment be the sanctions of last resort.
• Because nearly 50% of the deaths in custody investigated by the RCIADIC were of the stolen generations, that we call for the full implementation of the recommendations of the Bringing Them Home report.
• No further increases in police powers – we oppose calls to further arm police with weapons such as tasers.
• The establishment of elected community based review boards with the full legal and legislative powers to investigate, discipline and charge police, prison and custodial health officers found to be involved in a death in custody, negligence or lack of duty of care to those they have a responsibility to and for. This is to include all juvenile justice areas.
• The provision by State and Federal Governments of adequate funding for Families who have lost a loved one in custody to meet at a state/territory level followed by a national meeting, as required, to allow their collective demands to be formulated, including suitable and adequate compensation. ISJA – Melb also sees the connections between the treatment of Australia’s Indigenous nations and other Indigenous people and oppressed nations around the globe and extend our solidarity whenever we can. We also note a pattern of institutionalised racism embedded within the capitalist law both in Australia and in other parts of the world. This is why we support the campaign to free political prisoners such as Lex Wotton, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier. ISJA – Melb believes that what we do makes a difference. We organise rallies, speak-outs, meeting, community education, petitions, benefits and other grassroots campaigning to highlight injustice and win a world where deaths in custody no longer occur. We do not place our faith in the system to deliver justice for Aboriginal people. Instead, we work to build an effective grassroots movement that cannot be ignored. We welcome new people to get actively involved in ISJA - Melb. To be added to our e-list contact: [email protected]

Meetings are usually on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30pm via Zoom. For more info or to request the Zoom link message us via Facebook. Issued by Indigenous Social Justice Association — Melbourne. Mail: PO Box 2565, Regent West, VIC 3072 AUSTRALIA.

Death of Indigenous teen found on rail tracks with towel under head ‘suspicious’, NSW coroner says

18/06/2026

“We knew our Mark and we did not believe that Mark would go out on the tracks alone,” he said.

“We believe Mark had met with foul play and someone out there knows what happened to him.”

Craigie, who pushed for Mark’s death to be re-investigated for years, said he’d done everything he could to seek some form of justice.

“Mark got the death sentence, the family got a life sentence,” he said.

“We miss him deeply.”

Death of Indigenous teen found on rail tracks with towel under head ‘suspicious’, NSW coroner says Police initially ruled Mark Haines’ 1988 death a su***de but coroner says investigation hindered by racism and deeply flawed

17/06/2026

Important action this Friday! ✊🏽✊🏽

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E6KW1GGmf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Rally this Friday, 19th June at 11am at Cairns Courthouse to mark the last day of the coronial inquest into the death in custody of Muluridji man, Aubrey Donahue.

Mob and allies welcome.

11/06/2026

Sentencing of officer Benedict Bryant a rare moment of accountability

08/06/2026

TJ's mother, Gail Hickey, rebuts the coroner's findings and marches the streets every year on the anniversary of her son's death. She has repeatedly called for a fresh investigation and a formal apology — but, like many parents of those who have died in custody or during police operations, her calls have been left unanswered.

Will the outcome of Jai's case be a turning point for a better functioning system?

Or is it accepted that the burden remains with grieving parents, siblings, aunties and uncles fighting for accountability to ensure their loved one isn't just another number?

Sentencing of officer Benedict Bryant a rare moment of accountability Inside a quiet district courtroom in the heart of Sydney’s bustling CBD, a historic moment has unfolded involving a NSW Police sergeant.

05/06/2026

Solidarity with Aubrey’s family. This action which starts next week. Justice for Aubrey!

The Coronial inquest into the death in custody of Muluridji man Aubrey Donahue will take place from the 8th to the 19th of June, at Cairns District Court (Gimuy).

Aubrey’s family is calling for community and allies to camp out across the road from the courthouse for the duration of the inquest.

Anybody who is in Gimuy (Cairns), or can get up there, your support is needed.

Proceedings start daily at 10am, everybody is welcome.

contact Uncle Coco on 0408064900 for further details.

05/06/2026

Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne endorses the important convergence happening in July on Arrernte lands on the 60th anniversary of Pine Gap, which is built on stolen sacred land. The facility is directly involved in war crimes, surveillance, and genocide. Close Pine Gap! Cut ties with the US, exit AUKUS and return the sacred land to its custodians.

You can register to participate here:
https://closepinegap.org.au

04/06/2026

At our monthly meeting today we discussed the End strip searching in Australian prisons report. We formally endorsed the important report and its 5 recommendations.

If you have not yet signed the petition calling for strip searching, which Vicki Roach, a strong proud Yuin woman characterises as "state sanctioned sexual assault," you can add your support here.

The report is an initiative of Human Rights Law Centre Flat Out Inc and FIGJAM.

Sign the Petition Petition to Australian Governments: Ban Strip Searches in Australian Prisons

31/05/2026

This donate to

To ensure our independence, Dhadjowa doesn't accept government funding. This allows us to call out the systems that harm First Nations people.

Your donations support our local and national campaign and advocacy work.

Donations are fully tax-deductible. Donation link in bio

26/05/2026

Join us to support and participate in the Real Safety, Actual Justice Town Hall on the youth justice crisis organised by NATSILS - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. It's happening online next Monday.

Book via Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/natsils-town-hall?

18/05/2026

Get involved in the Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne. Participate in our June organising meeting online. Message us for the Zoom link.

Claim ownership or report listing

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college in Preston?

Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Location

Preston

Website

http://www.isjamelbourne.com/

Address

PO Box 2565, Regent West
Preston, VIC
3072

Indigenous Social Justice Association - Melbourne (ISJA Melbourne)

Share

Location

Website

Address