An Australian comedian has been stood down from his football club and received widespread backlash after he posted a ‘sickening’ and ‘vile’ TikTok video, making fun of Kumanjayi Little Baby’s death in the Northern Territory last month.
According to the Daily Mail, Alex ‘Shooter’ Williamson posted a video of himself speaking to the camera alongside a picture of Jefferson Lewis, the man who has been charged with Kumanjayi Little Baby’s murder among other offences.
“This is apparently the guy that abducted that little girl in Alice Springs yesterday,” Williamson says to the camera.
“I saw a news report that he had got out of jail and was staying at the little girl’s house.”
Williamson proceeded to imitate a person ‘on the phone’ with Jefferson before he allegedly abducted the 5-year-old girl.
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Sign up“Somebody was like, hey, yo, you just get out of prison, did you, brother?” Williamson said.
“Yeah, yeah I’ve seen your mugshot, you’re looking good. You’re looking well.”
According to the Daily Mail, Williamson then pretends to ‘ask’ Lewis to reside with him and his daughter, and “made a reference to petrol sniffing”.
The video, which has since been taken down, has been denounced across the internet including by Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People Dale Agius.
“To exploit the kidnapping and murder of a 5-year-old Aboriginal child for cheap laughs, and to roleplay a conversation with the man charged with her murder, is not a punchline,” Mr Agius said.
“It is racism dressed up as comedy.
“It tells other Aboriginal children and their families that their lives, their deaths, and their grief are sport for others (sic) entertainment.”
Williamson was also swiftly “stood down” from his role at the Willunga Football Club in South Australia.
“We want to make it clear: the comments made are completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our club,” a statement from the Willunga club said.
“We acknowledge the hurt and distress this has caused, particularly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community.
“The individual was stood down immediately, and following review, is no longer registered with the club.”
Despite the backlash’s seriousness, Williamson appeared to make light of media reactions to the joke, responding to the headline “Controversial comedian suspended by footy club for offensive post” on his Instagram story.
“BAHAHAHAHA this headline is a proper spinout. Closest I’ll feel to playing AFL,” Williamson said.
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