A Black Lives Matter rally will be held in Wagga at the weekend.
Wiradjuri man Joe Williams, one of the event's organisers, has called on the whole of the Wagga community to take part in the peaceful rally on Saturday, to remember not only American man George Floyd, but to also acknowledge Indigenous Australians who have died in custody.
"I believe what's happened over in the US will be the catalyst for change around the world and I just hope the Wagga community sees that as well," the mental health advocate and sportsman said.
"It's not about us versus them, it's about us standing together."
Widespread rioting is continuing in the United States in response to the death of Mr Floyd, an African American, at the hands of Minneapolis law enforcement officers.
In Australia, Black Lives Matter rallies are being planned and held across the country.
"This is about everyone coming together and just highlighting that there are injustices. It was on view for the world to see with the poor man in the US, but what a lot of people don't realise is that it is in full view here in Australia. This sort of stuff happens here as well," Mr Williams said.
"What the actual Wagga gathering is about isn't a protest. It's about showing solidarity with the family in the US and also showing solidarity with people of colour right around the world."
Mr Williams believes the planned rally will be welcomed and supported by Wagga residents.
"I had the opportunity to go to Sydney for the big march, and, you know what, I think Wagga is ready," he said.
"Wagga is the most progressive community that I have ever been involved in, as far as wanting to listen and wanting to learn and last year's corroboree is evidence of that.
"I've been to more than 200 communities around the country, and I believe Wagga is the most progressive community that I've been in."
Mr Williams said he hope the Wagga rally would help highlight ongoing Indigenous concerns in Australia.
"I hear the 'all lives matter' tag being thrown around a lot and, yes, all lives matter. That's a given. All lives do matter, but the way it sits now and the way it has been historically in this country, black lives matter less than white lives, and if people can't see that, that's the problem," he said.
"We're just trying to come together and highlight that."
Mr Williams was quick to commend Wagga's police and extended an invitation for officers to continue forging links with the city's Indigenous community
Wagga's Mark Saddler, who is also a proud Wiradjuri man, has backed the plan for a peaceful rally in the city.
"In the Wiradjuri language is the word 'murrawarra', which means to stamp your feet and stand your ground," he said, "Sometimes, that's what you've got to do."
Mr Saddler said he was particularly concerned that Aboriginal people were overrepresented in the Australian prison system.
"I support the actions for peaceful rallies. In 2020, in Australia, we need to listen to Aboriginal people and see what they're trying to show us," he said.
Wagga councillor Dan Hayes has also backed Saturday's event.
"I'm all for community members using their voice to call for fairness and equality and I hope to show my support by joining the March on Saturday," Cr Hayes said.
Superintendent Bob Noble from the Riverina Police District, said he had personally been dealing with rally organisers and "we will work collaboratively to ensure a safe outcome".
