Tens of thousands of people at the January 26 Invasion Day rallies demonstrated that the movement for First Nations rights has not been demoralised by the “No” vote in last year’s Voice referendum.
Rallies around the country also expressed strong solidarity with the Palestinian people resisting Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.
Thousands — mostly younger people — took part in the Invasion Day march on Gadigal land (Sydney) despite heatwave conditions, reports Peter Boyle.
Contingents from the Palestinian, Tamil and Kurdish communities joined in solidarity. The march proceeded from Belmore Park, where there were speeches and performances, to Victoria Park, where the Yabun Festival was taking place.
More than 10,000 marched in Meanjin/Brisbane behind lead banners reading “Invasion, survival, liberation”, “Land back” and “Intifada”.
Uncle Lionel Fogarty drew links between the war crimes committed “every day” by Israel and the war crimes committed against First Nations people in Australia — both historically and currently.
On the same day, protesters went to the Gabba during the Test Cricket where one person raised the Aboriginal flag on the cricket pitch. Uncle Wayne “Coco” Wharton invited the Invasion Day protest to march down to the Gabba, which was locked down for a period.
Close to 50,000 people marched in an “excellent Invasion Day rally” in Naarm/Melbourne, reports Jacob Andrewartha.
A strong feature included the solidarity links between fighting for First Nations sovereignty here and the fight for a free and liberated Palestine.
Gumbainggir activist and academic Gary Foley addressed the thousands of protesters who occupied the streets around Flinders Street Station.
The links between First Nations rights here and in Palestine was an important theme of the Invasion Day rally and march in Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide, reports Renfrey Clarke.
An estimated 4000 people gathered on Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) before marching through the city centre and returning to listen to speakers.
Organisers were overwhelmed in nipaluna/Hobart as 3000 took part, reports Robynne Murphy.
Around 1000 people came out in Boorloo/Perth, reports Alex Salmon. Among the speakers was Natasha Ugle, who demanded justice for her late husband, Wayne, who died in custody in Hakea prison in November.
More than 200 people rallied in Gimuy/Cairns calling for a future that respects Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people, reports Reneé Lees.
“Few countries in the world celebrate their day of colonial invasion — most celebrate their day of independence & democracy,” Lees told Green Left.
“Our beautiful patch of the globe is totally worth celebrating, but only in a spirit of truth and justice.”
Indigenous CommunityFirst local government candidate, Marisa Seden, wrote in the Cairns Post that she believes “it is important that all Australians appreciate the meaning and history of this date, January 26”.
