Cassius started a lawn mowing gig at just 13 years old his mother said. Credit: NITV: Jodan Perry

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As it happened: Thousands across the country showed up for Cassius Turvey and his family

More than 40 vigils across Australia remembered the Noongar teenager and heard the powerful words of his mum.

Cassius started a lawn mowing gig at just 13 years old his mother said. Credit: NITV: Jodan Perry

Published 2 November 2022 1:32pm

Updated 2 November 2022 9:50pm

By Alexis Moran

Source: NITV

That's where we'll leave the live blog for tonight

Thanks for joining us, we'll be back with more coverage of the Justice For Cassius Turvey vigils tomorrow.

Journalists are still sending in content and we will be creating videos from all the events for everyone to see.

Thousands, all across the country, showed up today for Cassius and his family.

We will keep bringing the latest updates as they fight for justice.

Goodnight.

Attendees sit in at Brisbane's King George square for their event. Credit: NITV: Keira Jenkins

A young girl showing up for Cassius in Brisbane.

Young people showed up for Cassius in Brisbane. Credit: NITV: Keira Jenkins

2 Nov 2022 9:34pm

Support on Larrakia Country and in Mparntwe

Lighting a path of candles. Credit: NITV: Laetitia Lemke

People sit in silence in many cities. Credit: NITV: Laetitia Lemke

Standing up in solidarity in Darwin.

A child sits and pays respect to a vigil to Cassius Turvey in Alice Springs. Credit: NITV: Guy McLean

Crowds gathered outside Alice Springs Courthouse. Credit: NITV: Guy McLean

2 Nov 2022 7:45pm

Newcastle and Mount Druitt hold intimate vigils

Newcastle's vigil saw people honour Cassius' lawn-mowing business, which he started at just 13 years old. Credit: NITV: Jodan Perry

Many children turned up for the Newcastle vigil and showed their support.

Children turned up in Newcastle to hold candles for Cassius. Credit: NITV: Jodan Perry

Mount Druitt held a small but powerful rally to honour Cassius. Credit: NITV: Breanna Holden

2 Nov 2022 7:16pm

Sisters travel from Townsville to Brisbane for Cassius' vigil

Brisbane's vigil is now underway, with crowds gathering at King George Square to commemorate Cassius Turvey, and some have travelled far.

Like Aunty Gracelyn Smallwood and her sister, Julia Hopkins, who travelled from Townsville to attend the rally.

Women attending the Brisbane rally for Cassius Turvey hold up signs

The Brisbane rally for Cassius Turvey has started. Credit: NITV: Keira Jenkins

Brisbane crowd holds candles and is seated for the vigil. Credit: NITV: Keira Jenkins

2 Nov 2022 7:05pm

Sydney vigil pays respect to other Aboriginal boys gone too soon

NITV News has been told approximately 2,000 people are at the vigil at Sydney's Town Hall.

Lizzie Jarrett is MC. She said, "no Blak child is ever in the wrong place, at the wrong time, on their own land."

Ms Jarrett also acknowledged the late Jai Wright and TJ Hickey and "all of the sons who died before their time."

Speakers at the Sydney vigil for Cassius Turvey. Credit: NITV: Rhanna Collins

2 Nov 2022 6:52pm

Mechelle Turvey joins the march in Perth

Mechelle Turvey (centre) marches with family, friends and members of the public during a rally

Mechelle Turvey (centre) marched with family, friends and members of the public. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

2 Nov 2022 6:32pm

'This can happen to anyone': Cassius' cousin says

In Melbourne, Sam May spoke on behalf of his aunt Mechelle Turvey and said he was proud of Cassius.

"Just seeing that people here, coming down the streets to pay their respects to a beautiful young man and his family. It makes me proud."

"We shouldn't have to be here. I really wish I wasn't. But this environment makes me proud of my little cousin.

"We are hurting all across the country and internationally as well.

"And that's the story of the message that we're trying to bring here. This can happen to anyone.

"Why did it have to happen to my cousin? But it could happen to anyone, and it shouldn't be like that."

2 Nov 2022 5:56pm

Cassius' cousin attends Melbourne vigil and delivers his Aunty's speech

Sam May, Cassius' first cousin, delivered Cassius' mother's speech to the media and then answered questions.

Sam May, cousin of Cassius Turvey during Cassius' vigil in Melbourne

NITV: Cameron Gooley

2 Nov 2022 5:46pm

Sydney's vigil is getting underway

People are coming together near Sydney's Town Hall.

White plastic chairs are placed in a circle in front of Sydney's Town Hall

NITV: Rhanna Collins

2 Nov 2022 5:36pm

More scenes out of Perth

A young boy and girl hold up handmade signs

Young ones hold up signs at the Perth rally. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

A group of young children and an older women hold up signs during a vigil for Cassius Turvey

People call for 'change' during the rally. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

A woman hold up a sign during a rally for Cassius Turvey

Cassius died at 15 years old. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

2 Nov 2022 5:25pm

Ms Turvey questions why the police didn't take a 'complete statement' from Cassius

Continuing on with Cassius' mother's statement, Ms Turvey said:

"Cassius was in hospital because of the brutal attack on the 13th of October, which eventually took his life on the 23rd October."

The answer I want is WHY?

"A complete statement was not taken by the police from Cassius after the violent attack and there was no contact with me his mother. Why?

"I felt as [a] mum I should have been kept in the loop about the statement. The statement was incomplete, it was vital.

"Cassius was talking at the hospital and should have taken his full statement but never did."

2 Nov 2022 4:48pm

Cassius' mum calls for 'calm and peace' during today's vigils

Mechelle Turvey (centre) mother of Cassius Turvey speaks during a rally

Mechelle Turvey (centre) mother of Cassius speaks during the rally at Forrest Place in Perth. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright

A speech written by Mechelle Turvey will be read out at rallies taking place today.

It begins:

"As mum of Cassius Turvey, I extend on behalf of my family, sincerest love and gratitude.

"The love, the generosity, the kindness, and the outpouring of tributes across the nation has been so appreciated.

"My family and I send our love to each one of you supporting, for raising voices and for showing so much kindness and respect. I am overwhelmed and eternally grateful.

"I don't want any more violence, I am the only person who can get justice for my son; stand alongside me, and I appreciate everyone, but I need to call out for calm.

"I am angry, Cassius' friends and family are angry. I don't want any form of violence at any of these rallies in the name of my child. Violence breeds violence, I want calm and peace.

"I don't want to fuel prejudices, biases. I don't want to fuel the stereotypes of First Nations people as violent.

"We knew from the early days Cassius would be a shining star. This was easily seen by his family by the way he smiled, he laughed, the way he cared about others.

"Cassius was a 'people lover' who treated everyone equally and respectfully. He was jovial, kind and his heart- larger than life."

2 Nov 2022 4:06pm

Crowds start to gather in Perth

NITV: Karla Hart

A woman holds a sign made for Cassius Turvey

NITV: Karla Hart

2 Nov 2022 3:25pm

'We are feeling this so deeply': NITV's The Point Presenter Narelda Jacobs says

2 Nov 2022 2:47pm

Close friends of Cassius remember his 'big heart'

During Monday night's vigil in Perth, one of Cassius's best friends was in tears as she described how he had always been there for others.

"Cassius was a teddy bear, or as the boys would say, a big friendly giant. He had a big heart, a big brain and big dreams," she said.

"Your name will never be forgotten. It will always be remembered.

Forever 15, my friend.

2 Nov 2022 1:30pm

Times and locations for Cassius Turvey vigils

You can find the times and locations below:

WA

Perth, Forrest Place, 12:30pm
Albany, Town Hall, 6:30pm
Busselton, Foreshore Amphitheatre & Stage, 6pm
Broome, Broome Courthouse, 3:30pm
Bunbury, Graham Bricknell Shell, 6pm
Carnavon, Gwoonwardu Mia, 5pm
Roebourne, Roebourne District High School Oval, 6pm
Geraldton, Edith Cowan Square, 2:10pm
Kalgoorlie, Trilby Cooper Hostel, 10am
Kellerberrin, Centenary Park, 1:30pm
Tom Price, Lions Park, 6:30pm

NSW

Sydney, Town Hall, 6pm
Airds, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, 6pm
Eden, Eden RSL, 6pm
Mt Druitt, Cnr Carlisle Ave & Luxford Rd, 6:30pm
Newcastle, Civic Park, 6pm
Wagga Wagga, Ngurra Hub, 5:30pm
Wollongong, MacCabe Park, 5:30pm
Lavington, Mirambeena Community Centre, 6pm

Vic

Melbourne, Aboriginal Advancement League, 6pm
Ballarat, Alfred Deakin Place, 6pm
Geelong, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op, 6pm
Portland, Portland Skate Park, 6pm

Qld

Brisbane, King George Square, 6pm
Cairns, City Library lawns, 7pm
Townsville, Strand – Rockpool, 10am

Alice Springs, Court House, 6pm
Darwin, Rapid Creek, 5:30pm

Tas

Launceston, Princess Park, Friday 12pm
Hobart, Parliament House lawns, Friday 12pm

Adelaide, Victoria Square, 3:30pm

ACT

Canberra, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, 6pm

2 Nov 2022 1:30pm

Cassius remembered by his community

Mechelle Turvey, mother of Cassius Turvey takes part in a smoking ceremony during a vigil for her son. Source: AAP / RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/AAPIMAGE

Cassius Turvey has been remembered as a devoted and charismatic friend and family member as his community in Perth lit 15 fire pits to represent a life cut tragically short.

It's estimated over 3,000 people gathered at a candlelight vigil in Weip Park, Midlands, on Monday night to mourn the teenager.

Attendees were invited to take gum leaves or branches and add them to 15 smoking fire pits arranged in a circle, each representing a year of Cassius's life.

Vigils commemorating Cassius's death will be held across the country today but Mechelle Turvey has urged attendees not to exploit her son's passing.

"We know racism exists," she said.

"But do not use my son's tragedy as a platform to blow your trumpets."

First vigil for Cassius Turvey draws thousands

As it happened: Thousands across the country showed up for Cassius Turvey and his family