An Amnesty Margaret River spokesperson said the group was overwhelmed by the local support of their 437 Aboriginal flags installation at Riflebutts in Prevelly on Saturday.
The installation, with each flag representing the death of one of our first nations people in custody since the royal commission 30 years ago, created a powerful and emotional response in members of the community who came to see it.
"The flags fluttering in the breeze were a beautiful memorial to those who have died and a family's grief," said Amnesty spokesperson Di Shanahan.
Amnesty Margaret River is petitioning federal government to implement the recommendations from the 1987 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody which would call a halt to much of this suffering.
Although widely accepted, the recommendations have mostly been disregarded by governments.
"With our current government having recently set up the National Federation Reform Council this is a very opportune time to push government to bring the recommendations into action to achieve a more substantive equality before the law for Indigenous Australians.
"These reforms will help reduce incarceration rates which is at the heart of the issue," said Rod Whittle, Amnesty Margaret River's convenor.
Local photographer Martine Perret photos of the installation have generated a record number of likes and shares across several Facebook pages in Australia.
Visit www.facebook.com/amnestymargaretriver for more information on this and other projects from the group.
