Who Is Lidia Thorpe? Meet The Indigenous Australian Senator Who Heckled King Charles

Indigenous Australian senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines on Monday after heckling King Charles following his address to the Australian Parliament House in Canberra. Thorpe, an independent senator, shouted anti-colonial slogans, shocking lawmakers and dignitaries present. As security escorted her out, she protested, demanding, “Give us our land back! Give us what you stole from us!” She declared, “This is not your land; you are not my king,” condemning the “genocide” of Indigenous Australians by European settlers.

Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe Heckles King Charles During Australian Parliament Visit

Indigenous Australian senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines by heckling King Charles during his address to the Parliament, shouting anti-colonial slogans and demanding land restitution. A vocal advocate for Indigenous rights, Thorpe's bold actions reflect her ongoing opposition to the monarchy and commitment to addressing historical injustices. As King Charles embarks on his first visit to Australia as monarch, Thorpe's protest underscores the critical discussions surrounding Indigenous rights and the impact of colonial history in contemporary Australia.

Also Read: Bomb Threats at CRPF Schools: Fear Spreads Across the Country After Delhi Blast

Who is Lidia Thorpe?

Lidia Thorpe, 51, comes from a family of Aboriginal community organizers and identifies as a Gunnai, Gunditjmara, and Djab Wurrung Indigenous woman. Since being sworn into office in 2022, she has gained attention for her bold political stunts and strong opposition to the monarchy. During her oath, she raised her fist, expressing reluctance to pledge allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, prompting a rebuke from Senate officials.

A prominent advocate for Indigenous rights, Thorpe frequently voices her protests both in the Senate and at public events. Previously a member of the progressive Greens Party, she left due to their support of an Indigenous advisory group to Parliament, which she opposed.

King Charles’s Visit to Australia

King Charles, 75, is on a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa, marking his first major foreign trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. This visit is his 17th to Australia and the first since ascending to the throne in 2022. It also marks the first visit by a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II’s trip in 2011. 

As the tensions surrounding Thorpe's protest highlight ongoing issues related to Indigenous rights, the world watches closely how these events unfold during the King’s visit.