An indigenous musician was left “crying and angry” after claiming that two taxi drivers denied her a ticket because of the color of her skin.
Emma Donovan, an award-winning Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist, flew to Perth on Friday night after launching her new CD in Melbourne.
But Donovan, 43, said two drivers refused him a ride despite being at the front of the line.
The singer claimed her refusal was motivated by racism, and one of the hosts said he didn’t like “their kind.”
“I am absolutely furious writing this, in tears and anger,” Donovan wrote on Facebook.
Emma Donovan (pictured), an award-winning Gumbaynggirr and Yamatji artist, flew to Perth on Friday night after launching her new CD in Melbourne.
But Donovan, 43, said two drivers refused him a ride despite being at the front of the queue (pictured: one of the alleged drivers).
‘I will report these guys somehow. The entire line of taxis was arguing about who would take me and no one wanted to.
‘A kind fulla (sic) offered me a lift in his car and took me to Vic Park.
‘I know this wasn’t for a short fee; “I know this was racism at its finest.”
The singer-songwriter took photographs of the license plates of the two taxi drivers and shared them with her 21,000 followers.
Many urged her to report the license plates to the department of transportation, which regulates the taxi industry in the state.
“What happened to him is completely unacceptable (obviously!), but it’s also against the rules,” one person wrote.
‘The company and the drivers will be sanctioned. Or it should be.
Her post was inundated with hundreds of comments of support and solidarity, with one person saying their “heart hurts reading this.”
“What a shame this country is,” they added.
‘Laura Tingle’s words resonate every day: ‘Australia is a racist country’, there is no doubt about it.
‘I can’t even imagine how humiliating this must have been for you. I can only apologize on your behalf and express my absolute solidarity with you and all the indigenous people of this stolen occupied land.’
A Perth Airport spokesperson said they were not aware of the incident, but encouraged the musician to report it (pictured, the second alleged taxi)
The singer-songwriter photographed the license plates of the two taxi drivers and shared them with her 21,000 Facebook followers
A Perth Airport spokesperson said Western Australia They were not aware of the incident, but encouraged the musician to report it.
“There is no place for racism in our society,” he said.
‘The taxi industry is regulated by the State Government. We urge Ms. Donovan to file a report with the Department of Transportation and will be happy to assist her in filing her complaint.
‘Perth Airport will identify if there is CCTV footage of the incident and provide it to the Department to assist in any investigation into the allegations.
“Perth Airport will also remind all taxi companies of our expectation that all passengers are treated with courtesy and dignity.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Perth Airport and the Australian Taxi Industry Association for comment.
Donovan is a world-renowned artist whose genre transcends country, soul and R&B.
He began performing at the age of seven with his well-known family band The Donovans, founded by his maternal grandparents Micko and Aileen.
Along with her mother, Agnes, and her five uncles, Mrs. Donovan performed church songs at events across the country.
The ARIA-nominated artist has toured Australia and around the world for over two decades, performing alongside Australian icons such as Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers and Paul Grabowsky.
Ms Donovan, best known for her work with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks and the Black Arm Band project, performed at the opening of the 2004 Olympic torch relay.