A granddaughter of Vyleen White, who was allegedly stabbed to death by an African teenager in Queensland, has started a petition calling for stricter laws on racially motivated violence and gang activity in her community.
A 16-year-old Sudanese refugee has been charged with murder over the death of Ms White, 70, who was allegedly knifed in front on her six-year-old granddaughter during a robbery at a shopping centre in Redbank Plains in Ipswich on Saturday.
Two other 16-year-old males and a 15-year-old, also all of African appearance, were charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Police allege Ms White was stabbed for her 2009 Hyundai Getz, which was driven from the scene.
Granddaughter Samantha White, created the petition on Sunday, saying the tragic alleged murder “has led me to realise the urgency of addressing gang-related and racially motivated violence in our community”, and calling for a “Vyleen’s Law”.
“According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, there has been a significant increase in gang violence over the past few years … Moreover, racially motivated crimes have also seen an alarming rise. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent real people like my grandmother who have suffered due to this escalating violence,” she wrote.
“This petition calls on lawmakers in Redbank Plains QLD, Australia, to take immediate action by implementing stricter laws against gang-related activities and racial violence as well as imposing harsher penalties on those found guilty of such acts.
“Help make everyone’s lives safer, sign to make Vyleen’s Law possible.”
Media were barred from the Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday where the teenager charged with murder had his matter heard, and from Brisbane Magistrate’s Court where one of the charged 15-year-olds faced court.
Magistrates in both courts expressed concern for the youths and about media coverage of the alleged murder.
The 15-year-old accused’s lawyer was “fearful” as there had been racist comments on social media and “comments in regards to capital punishment and deportation”.
Some reasons given for signing Ms White’s petition include: “Sick and tired of the abuse and harm done to law abiding citizens and the destruction of the Australian values, it’s time those that did not follow our valued principles for a great society for all are removed.”
“This attack and murder should have never happened! I will do anything to keep my town Redbank plains safe! Deport the murderers!” wrote another.
