Thousands attend Invasion Day protests across Australia
Thousands of protesters have flocked to Invasion Day and Survival Day rallies around the nation, with major events being held in every capital city.
Demonstrators in Melbourne are descended on state parliament on Friday in what organisers describe as one of the longest-standing protests in the world.
“Australia Day is not a day to celebrate,” Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance said in a statement on social media.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“It is an annual reminder of invasion, occupation, genocide and the ongoing impacts of colonisation that continues to destroy our lives, our lands and our waters.”
Pro-Palestinain protesters also joined the crowd in a show of solidarity with Indigenous Australians.
While in Sydney, thousands more attended a demonstration at Belmore Park.
Organisers are calling for an end to deaths in custody, to stop housing and healthcare discrimination, for government to implement all recommendations of the 1978 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and a range of other concerns.
Hobart’s rally is at Elizabeth Street from 11.15am (AEDT) and the number of people there is expected to surpass those who attended in 2023, according to Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell.
“’January 26th has become the one day of the year that completely divides the nation,” Ms Mansell said.
“These protests will keep getting bigger every year, until the prime minister is willing to show some leadership by abolishing the Australia day celebrations, or at least changing the date’‘.
Rallies are taking place across the country.
There willl be a rally at Queens Gardens in Brisbane, Civic Park in Darwin, Victoria Square in Adelaide and Forrest Place in Perth.
