CANBERRA, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Nationwide vigils are held across Australia on Thursday in memory of a five-year-old Aboriginal girl who was murdered.
Attendees are asked to bring candles and wear pink -- the girl's favorite color -- as they take part in a smoking ceremony and moment of silence across all Australian states and territories, including such cities as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, and Alice Springs.
Malarndirri McCarthy, minister for Indigenous Australians, encourages people to join the vigil to "do the appropriate thing here for Sorry Business and say goodbye."
Being referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby after her death in accordance with Indigenous custom, the girl was found dead by police on April 30 following a major search after she went missing from a home in an Aboriginal community on the outskirts of the outback city of Alice Springs on April 25.
On April 30, 47-year-old Aboriginal man Jefferson Lewis, who had been named as a suspect in the girl's disappearance, had been arrested over her alleged murder. A riot broke out following his arrest. On Tuesday, he was charged with one count of murder and two other charges, undisclosed for legal reasons, in the first court hearing. The case will return to court on July 30.
The murder of Kumanjayi Little Baby has raised concerns over child protection. ■