Marcia Langton alleges police harassment over racism research

Professor Marcia Langton, a senior academic and First Nations advocate, has provided evidence to a royal commission regarding her experiences with racism. During the hearing, which is investigating anti-Semitism and social cohesion, Langton alleged that Northern Territory police were unhappy with her research into Aboriginal deaths in custody.

She claimed that police were involved in an incident where the door to her Darwin hotel room was kicked off its hinges during the night, an event she described as sounding “like an explosion.” Langton, who was a key contributor to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody between 1989 and 1992, also highlighted historical medical racism. She cited a case in Katherine where a man died in a cell after being denied medical care and was subsequently left on a nature strip by police.

Langton further discussed the history of segregation in Queensland and the shared experiences of genocide between Aboriginal and Jewish communities. She recommended that the government implement a coordinated response to address all forms of racism and anti-Semitism.