An Australian politician disrupted King Charles’s address before Australia’s Parliament today, launching into a profane tirade following the conclusion of the King’s speech, which had expressed appreciation for his reception in the country.
Senator Lidia Thorpe, 51, a prominent Indigenous activist known for her history of provocative actions at significant political events, shouted “f*** the colony” and “you are not my king” during a session at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday.
Senator Lidia Thorpe, dressed in a native fur coat, vociferously declared, “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us—our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land. Give us our treaties. We want a treaty in this country. You are a genocidalist. This is not your land, this is not your land.”
As security escorted her from the room, Senator Thorpe repeatedly shouted, “Not my king.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the incident, though sources dismissed the lone protestor, stating that Their Majesties were “deeply touched” by the warm reception they had received throughout the day. King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen laughing off the interruption during Senator Thorpe’s outburst.
Prior to her outburst, Senator Lidia Thorpe had turned her back during the playing of the Australian national anthem.
Earlier in the day, Senator Thorpe had a near confrontation with police while protesting the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla to Canberra. The incident occurred during an Indigenous protest outside the Australian War Memorial.
The protest group, consisting of approximately two dozen Indigenous demonstrators, gathered outside the Memorial, chanting “always was, always will be Aboriginal land.” The protesters remained at a distance from the area where the King and Queen made their appearance.
Senator Lidia Thorpe was observed in a heated exchange with a police officer who grabbed hold of her shirt. In response, Senator Thorpe removed her shirt and walked away from the officer in defiance.
