Perth Man Faces Serious Charges After Alleged Explosive Device Incident at Invasion Day Rally
Western Australia police have formally charged a 31-year-old man from the northern Perth suburb of Warwick with committing a life-threatening act, following an alarming incident at an Invasion Day rally in Perth. The charges stem from an alleged homemade explosive device that was thrown into the crowd during the peaceful protest, creating a moment of terror for attendees and organisers alike.
Terrifying Moment on Stage
Herbert Bropho, a prominent Noongar elder who was addressing the rally from the stage in Forrest Place, described the "terrifying" moment when something was allegedly thrown onto the stage. Approximately 2,500 people were gathered for the Invasion Day event when the incident occurred around 12.15pm on Monday.
"It was terrifying," Bropho told Guardian Australia. "He wanted people to run out of Forrest Chase in fear, but everybody stood their ground and wanted to continue the protest."
The elder explained how a police officer inspected the device and quickly began telling the crowd to move back from the stage. "But they didn't explain to people why – I told the people, you've got to bloody fucking move because they found a device," Bropho recounted.
Police Response and Charges
In a detailed statement released on Tuesday, Western Australia police outlined the serious charges against the 31-year-old man. He faces one count of committing an unlawful act or omission with intent to harm, specifically endangering the life, health or safety of any person. Additionally, he has been charged with one count of making or possession of explosives under suspicious circumstances.
Police allege that the man was in attendance at the rally when he "removed an item from his bag and threw it into the crowd from a first-floor walkway before fleeing the scene." A member of the public immediately alerted police, who took swift action to protect and disperse the crowd while isolating the suspicious item.
Nature of the Device
Specialist officers from the WA Police Bomb Response Unit and forensic officers attended the scene and examined the item. Their analysis confirmed it to be a homemade improvised explosive device containing a mixture of volatile and potentially explosive chemicals, with nails and metal ball bearings affixed to the exterior.
According to WA police commissioner Col Blanch, the device was designed to explode on impact but the fuse failed, potentially preventing a much more serious outcome. A subsequent search of the man's home allegedly revealed a combination of chemicals and materials consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives.
Community Reaction and Resilience
Despite the frightening incident, the rally continued with remarkable resilience. Bropho emphasised that the protest had been peaceful, focused on raising important issues including land rights and the closure of detention centres. "We kept marching after the incident to show we weren't cowed," he stated. "We were protesting for the issues of our people and so we finished the march."
Attendee Jade Cameron described the initial confusion, noting there was "chaos" as people didn't immediately understand why police had stopped the speeches. "They tried to get the elders and everyone from going into Forrest Chase but we didn't know why," Cameron explained. "We managed to get the elders away and safe and proceed through."
Long-term Impact
Bropho, who has attended protests since childhood, acknowledged that the incident would leave a lasting impression. "I'm gonna still have that in my head when we go to the next Invasion Day rally," he reflected. "It's going to be embedded in our minds now." Despite the trauma, the 50-year-old elder remains committed to continuing his activism, declaring "I'm not going to stop protesting."
The accused man was denied bail and scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, the same day charges were announced. The incident has raised serious concerns about protest safety while highlighting the determination of Indigenous communities to continue advocating for their rights despite such threats.
