Maribyrnong Yarraville Ward councillor and Victorian Socialists Footscray candidate Jorge Jorquera has clarified his reasoning behind his absence during the council’s mourning of the death of The Queen.
During its meeting on Tuesday, September 13, the council moved a motion to suspend standing orders to acknowledge The Queen’s death.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, September 14, Cr Jorquera said he could not be part of a commemoration of the English Crown.
“Even the most cursory or shallow understanding of history demonstrates the complicity of the English Crown in all manner of colonial exploitation, racist oppression and wanton elitism,” he said.
Cr Jorquera has campaigned for local government to recognise January 26 as Invasion Day and he successfully spearheaded the #racismNOTwelcome campaign in the western suburbs since becoming a councillor in 2020.
“Every day, thousands of people pass away who have contributed positively to society,” he said.
“They deserve to be mourned, not those who have used their power to uphold inequality and injustice.”
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the council would be flying its flags at half-mast during the 10-day mourning period.
“Maribyrnong City Council extends its deepest sympathies to the royal family and to the citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as they grieve the loss of Her Majesty,” he said.
Details: victoriansocialists.org.au/candidates/jorge-jorquera
Matthew Sims
