Here’s Why People Are Wearing Pink Today
If you've got something pink in your wardrobe, it's time to dig it out.
Tanya Day should be with her family today, celebrating her 58th birthday. Instead they’re marking the day without her, almost three years since the Yorta Yorta woman was killed in police custody.
Tanya is one of hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have died in police custody since 1991. No one has ever been convicted in relation to any of those deaths.
As part of the Day family’s continued fight for justice they are asking people to wear pink today, Tanya’s favourite colour, to help keep her memory alive.
Aunty Tanya Day should have been here to celebrate her birthday with her children, grannies and family. Her favourite colour was pink. Let’s remember who she was and what she wanted to be. I’m wearing the only pink thing I own today for #PinkForTanya https://t.co/9EOmQfSwnr pic.twitter.com/5QzFdRcRb4
— Amy McQuire (@amymcquire) September 8, 2020
Today is Aunty Tanya Day’s 58th birthday. I wear pink to honour and celebrate her life as it was her favourite colour.
I stand in solidarity with her family as they continue to fight for justice. #JusticeForTanyaDay #PinkForTanya pic.twitter.com/5EaeoNhroF
— chrissy. (@cksaunders14) September 8, 2020
The Yorta Yorta woman died in police custody in 2017 after being found asleep on a train and arrested for public drunkenness. After falling over in her cell and hitting her head she was left lying on the floor for three hours, and later died from a brain haemorrhage.
Wearing pink today to honour the birthday of Yorta Yorta woman #TanyaDay, one of 435+ Aboriginal deaths in custody since 1991. No-one has ever been convicted for any of those tragic deaths. #PinkForTanya #JusticeForTanyaDay https://t.co/OsBOd2tegr pic.twitter.com/wtkDEmwV7w
— Nic Holas (@nicheholas) September 8, 2020
It’s not a justice system if police have no accountability. This isn’t hard. Hold police to the same standard as everyone else #PinkForTanya #JusticeForTanyaDay pic.twitter.com/kmk2uj6qut
— “lockdown larry” (@maximum_sincere) September 8, 2020
Last month we learned police had decided not to pursue charges against the officers involved in her death. The case had been referred to the director of public prosecutions after a coronial inquest found her death was “clearly preventable“.
People have flooded social media with images of them wearing pink in solidarity with her family, along with the hashtags #PinkForTanya and #JusticeForTanyaDay.
Tanya Day should be here to celebrate her birthday with her loved ones. Holding her, her family and community in my thoughts today as I wear the only pink I own #JusticeforTanyaDay #PinkForTanya pic.twitter.com/IXO5XoYmlO
— jams ? julian diaz stan (@jamsberries) September 8, 2020
Today NATSILS is wearing pink to honour Aunty Tanya Day's birthday. Pink was Aunty Tanya's favourite colour. Aunty Tanya was a strong Yorta Yorta grandmother, mother and cherished community member. We stand with the Day family today and everyday. #JusticeForTanyaDay pic.twitter.com/zU0XIE4J0I
— NATSILS (@NATSILS_) September 8, 2020
Happy birthday Tanya Day ? #PinkforTanya #JusticeForTanyaDay pic.twitter.com/kzZhwt2t3L
— Priya Kunjan (@PriyaKunjan) September 7, 2020
According to a Guardian investigation, at least 437 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in police custody since the 1991 royal commission.
So if you’ve got something pink in your wardrobe, it’s time to dig it out.