Thousands gather at Invasion Day rallies nationwide, calling for the abolition or alteration of Australia Day. Rallies highlight the historical trauma and ongoing injustices associated with colonization and address broader issues of race, class, colonialism, and capitalism.
Thousands of people are gathering at Invasion Day rallies across Australia, demanding the abolition or alteration of Australia Day 's date. January 26th commemorates the day in 1788 when Arthur Phillip, a British naval officer, raised the British flag at Sydney Cove, marking the beginning of British colonization.
The rallies serve as a platform for First Nations people to voice their opposition to the current date, highlighting the historical trauma and ongoing injustices associated with colonization. In Brisbane, a large crowd marched in solidarity to Musgrave Park in the West End, advocating for change. Caroline Kell, a Mbarbrum woman and organizer of Victoria's Parliament House Invasion Day rally, described the event as a blend of 'mourning and celebration,' emphasizing the resilience and resistance of Aboriginal people. 'We're gathering in our thousands to rise and resist, and come together to mourn the loss of life and culture, but also to celebrate our existence and our resistance as Aboriginal sovereign people of this land,' she stated.The rallies across Australia are not solely focused on changing the date of Australia Day. They also address broader issues of race, class, colonialism, and capitalism, acknowledging the interconnectedness of these struggles. In Victoria's coastal town of Torquay, a 'truth-telling' event, Pilk Purriyn, was held before dawn, led by the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation and Surf Coast Shire Council. Greg Robinson, who presented the event, emphasized the importance of embracing First Nations culture and acknowledging the enduring trauma caused by colonization. 'It's a day that is divisive in nature but this is an opportunity to come together collectively in solidarity to share the truth and history of the nation that we all call home,' he said. Locals like Deb Lowahclark stressed the significance of unity and shared stories through song, dance, and cultural perspectives. In Sydney, the Invasion Day rally began with a minute's silence followed by traditional dance and song in Belmore Park. Speakers condemned the lack of action regarding black deaths in custody and the over-representation of Aboriginal children in foster care, urging for collective action and accountability. The rallies also drew parallels to the struggles of Indigenous peoples globally, including Māori in New Zealand, and the New Zealand government's recent attempts to re-interpret the Treaty of Waitangi
Indigenous Rights Invasion Day Australia Day Indigenous Rights Colonization First Nations People
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