Eddie Betts, an Indigenous AFL hero, tweeted footage of his children experiencing racial harassment in their garden and stated, “We are not even safe in our own homes.” This prompted the Victorian police to launch an investigation. On Thursday night, Betts captured public security camera footage showing a white automobile pulling up in front of a building. Then come yelling racist epithets.
In the Instagram video, four kids are seen hooping in the gated yard while a car drives by.
Betts stated that “Aboriginal children deserve to play safely, free from racism and abuse, over the fence.”
Our houses are not safe either. Kindly let them know that I’m available to talk about the suffering it causes our kids 💔.
Betts thanked supporters early on Friday. Adding a court photo: “It won’t stop the kids from playing ball.”
Victoria police received a report of “verbal racial abuse toward children outside a property in Glen Iris” on Friday afternoon.
Police said that at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, someone “yelled from the windows before driving away” as a car passed the house.
A spokesperson advised calling Crime Stoppers and stated that the force handled such cases “very seriously.”
They claimed that acts motivated by prejudice put victims in jeopardy and isolated their communities.
Victoria Police will not accept any form of violence that is motivated by racism, bigotry, or discrimination. Inquire with your local police about offenses motivated by prejudice.
Although Eddie was accustomed to discrimination, the overtness and anger directed at his young children and nephews in their home, according to a Eddie BettsFoundation spokesperson, “has really upset him and their families.”
The spokesperson said on Friday that “Aboriginal kids deserve freedom to play sports, go to school, and live their lives free of racism and abuse.”
Eddie will continue to address racism in Australia and express gratitude to all for their support—we are dependent upon one another.
Jacinta Allan, the premier of Victoria, described the tape as “sickening and disgusting.” According to her, this behavior has “no place” in the state.
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“Strong and proud Indigenous man who’s talked about his own experiences, and it must be pretty painful to see his kids go through that,” was how the premier described Eddie Betts.
“It’s sickening, and I’m sorry his kids went through that.”
The AFL’s general manager of inclusivity, Tanya Hosch, and CEO Andrew Dillon expressed gratitude to Betts for “bringing this disturbing behavior to our attention.”
They declared, “We cannot remain silent.”
We call on everyone, like Eddie, to condemn racism wherever they see, hear, or read it. When reporting racism is possible, we advise doing so. Racism is unacceptable. Racism is painful. Deal with racism.
The AFLPA supported the incident and described it as disgusting.
Nobody ought to put up with this. The group wrote, Eddie, you have our support.
Betts played 350 AFL games with Carlton and Adelaide before retiring in 2021. He objected to racial epithets both on and off the field.
A 2016 match fan hurled a banana at him.
In 2022, Eddie Betts, known as “Blak in Australia,” told NITV that he would face racial abuse regardless of his profile.
I finally have a platform. He stated, “People don’t like me talking about it.”” Take me back to my box. They hate my position.
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