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Darwin protest sees thousands call for urgent action on crime in the wake of Declan Laverty's death

Protesters gathered out the front of NT Parliament House to demand action on crime after Declan Laverty's death.  (ABC News: Matt Garrick)

Thousands of peaceful protesters have gathered in Darwin in response to the alleged murder of bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, calling for immediate action to halt the city's rising crime rates.

Floral tributes were laid on the steps of Northern Territory Parliament House, from where tearful, impassioned speeches were delivered in tribute to a young life cut short too soon.

Mr Laverty was stabbed to death in a northern suburbs bottle shop last weekend, with 19-year-old man Keith Kerinauia arrested and charged with his murder.

NT Police alleged it came after Mr Laverty refused service to a customer.

Organiser Cobie Campbell fought back tears as she read a eulogy written by Mr Laverty's mother, Samara Laverty, to the 2,000-strong crowd.

"It gives us comfort to know how much he has impacted the community," Ms Campbell said.

"Declan was an amazing person. He could make us laugh so much. He was mature beyond his years."

Protesters left floral tributes on the steps of the Northern Territory's parliament building. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Thousands of people turned out to pay tribute to Mr Laverty on Saturday. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)

Mr Laverty's parents thanked the community for their support but urged for calm as the murder investigation into his death continued.

"We understand that you are hurting as much as we are," Ms Laverty wrote.

"But now we must respect the investigative process and ensure nothing is done to jeopardise the fight for justice for our son and brother."

Ms Campbell also called for the NT government to consider immediate new tough-on-crime measures and legislate them under the title "Declan's Law".

Mr Laverty's father, Damian Crook, said he was "hurting for Darwin".

"I really am worried – I'm worried that people won't come here, and I don't want that," he said.

Declan Laverty's father Damian Crook addressed the crowd following his son's death last Sunday. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)

Calls for Fyles and Chalker to be sacked

There were calls in the crowd for both Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker to be sacked for their handling of the NT's growing crime problem.

Over the past year, NT Police statistics have shown a troubling rise across the board in violent offences in Darwin and regional towns like Katherine and Alice Springs.

Another event organiser, Sadé Dobson, read some of those statistics aloud at the rally and said she believed the NT government was moving too slowly towards any type of lasting solutions.

"It shouldn't take a murder and a rally for the government to listen and act," Ms Dobson said.

Mr Laverty's death came at a time of rising community frustration over crime in the Northern Territory. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Rally organiser Sadé Dobson called for politicians to draft tough new anti-crime legislation, dubbing it "Declan's Law". (ABC News: Hamish Harty)

In the wake of Mr Laverty's death, the Fyles Labor government promised to roll out a suite of measures, including a review of bail laws and possible new police powers.

On Friday, Police Minister Kate Worden said they were moving as fast as possible to deliver change.

"The work has already started," Ms Worden said.

"Sometimes with legislation, unfortunately you have to take a moment because you need to get it right the first time.

"You don't want to put legislation forward and then find in six months' time you have to tinker around the edges."

Ms Worden did not directly answer when asked if the government had missed the warning signs of an increase in weaponised violence in Darwin's northern suburbs prior to Mr Laverty's death.

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