The mother of the Noongar teenager allegedly murdered in Perth's north-east has prepared a statement to be read at rallies and vigils across the country today.
WARNING: This story features the names and images of deceased Aboriginal people, which have been used with the permission of their families.
Cassius Turvey, 15, died in hospital last month, 10 days after he was allegedly struck with a metal pole by a man while walking with friends after school in Middle Swan.
Rallies commemorating his death will be held in every capital city and in many regional towns across the country, as part of a national day of action and to support his family.
Similar events are also planned to take place in New Zealand and the United States.
Cassius' mother, Mechelle Turvey, said it was healing to see the amount of support behind the vigils and rallies.
"It's actually helping us all with our healing, day by day," she told Channel 9's Today Show.
"The generosity of people wanting to give us things, from the simple things from hugs to pieces of their artwork, also getting behind the vigils the rallies as well.
"I've done a statement that will be read out at each rally and there will be speakers."
Drawing on coping strategies
Ms Turvey has chosen Fiona Stanley and Pat Dudgeon to speak at the Perth rally in Forrest Place, alongside family members of Cassius.
Community members have commended Ms Turvey for her integrity and strength in the wake of her son's death and ahead of the rallies, she said she would continue to use the coping strategies she encouraged as a support worker.
"I work with a lot of people who have trauma from childhood and are going through stuff now and I coach [and] encourage people to lead their lives and cope the same way I have," she said.
"I always say be strong but also embrace your vulnerability, and that's a learning curve."
Police Commissioner admits comments caused 'hurt'
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch met with Ms Turvey on Monday and later attended the candlelight vigil for Cassius at Midland's Weeip Park.
"I think overwhelmingly the community have come together," he told ABC Radio Perth.
"That is why I was so impressed by Cassius's mum Mechelle, because she's uniting a community about reflecting on who her son was."
Mr Blanch faced criticism for previously saying Cassius was in the "wrong place at the wrong time" when the teenager was allegedly murdered.
"I understand the hurt my comments caused and that's why I did go to Cassius' mum, and I spent a couple of hours with the family to say I oppose racism," he said.
"We must focus on justice for Cassius and that's why I must be very careful about my words from now on because it is before the courts."
Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, has been charged with murdering Cassius.
Mr Brearley has also been charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm on a 13-year-old boy.
Homicide detectives are continuing to do a "mountain of work" investigating the passengers in the vehicle Mr Brearley was allegedly travelling in, according to the Commissioner.
"They've executed some search warrants recently on some of the people that were in that vehicle. The investigation is ongoing," he said.
"We are working closely with the Director of Public Prosecutions to see if the other people in the vehicle will be subject to further charges."
