Thousands of demonstrators have come at the first of numerous demonstrations taking place today around the nation, a “Invasion Day” rally in Sydney.
On Gadigal land, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Sydney’s central business district’s Belmore Park this morning.
For many Indigenous people, January 26 serves as a bitter reminder even though it is officially recognized as the day Captain Arthur Phillips flew the British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788.
“Stop the genocide” signs were carried by protesters at Sydney’s invasion day demonstration.
Many police officers are present.
Later today, similar events will take place in all of the capital cities.
Brisbane’s Meanjin Invasion Day demonstration starts at 10 am in Queens Gardens, while Melbourne’s march will be held in Naarm and start at 11 am at Parliament House on Spring Street.
The purpose of the event is to “remind the city that we don’t glorify genocide.”
The Survival Day march in Adelaide will start at noon and last until 4.30. It will start in the city’s Victoria Square, Tarntanyangga. At noon on Forrest Chase in the downtown, Perth’s invasion day demonstration will get under way.
The Nipaluna Invasion Day march in Tasmania starts at 10.45 a.m. at 198 Elizabeth Street before moving on to the Parliament Lawns for a rally at noon that will call for the date to be changed.
Despite the protests, polls indicates that the majority of Australians agree that January 26 should be Australia Day.
