*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons*
"I miss him. I want to dream about him but I can't. He's not dead his blood is my blood I am him." Eric Watson
Eric Watson was only 16 when his dad died in police custody. For nearly two years Eric, along with his family and the community of Palm Island, have fought hard for justice. Sadly, Eric would not live to see anyone held responsible for the death of his father - 36-year-old Mulrunji Doomadgee - on the 19th of November 2004 Eric took his own life. In A Line In The Sand, Eric tells the story of losing his hero, his dad Mulrunji.
A Line In The Sand is the story of the Palm Island community as it prepares for the 2nd anniversary of Mulrunji's death. For the first time, Tracie Twaddle (Mulrunji's partner) and son Eric, tell the story of one of Australia's most reported Black Deaths in Custody.
The death of Mulrunji, marked the 147th Black Death in Custody since the handing down of the Royal Commission report in 1990. It brought Palm Island into the national and international spotlight. The world watched as an angry crowd reacted to the suggestion the death was accidental; they torched the police station and police homes. What followed was a 'terrorist' style operation where a 'battalion' of hooded police arrived in helicopters to arrest the rioters. The State Government condemned the rioters and defended its police.
Until now the story of Mulrunji's death and the subsequent riots had been told from the outside looking in. A Line In The Sand continues the family's story. Tracie's elder sister Elizabeth Clay, Ralph Norman and Mayor Erikah Kyle, explain why they believe the men who torched the police station were brave and justified.
PRODUCTION DETAILS:
Producer Tanya Denning. Executive producer David Jowsey. |
