Australia’s Darkest Day: Thousands Protest Across the Nation Demanding Change to ‘Invasion Day’ Celebrations
- Thousands of Australians take to the streets to protest ‘Invasion Day’ celebrations, calling for a change to the national day of commemoration
- Protesters demand recognition of the trauma and pain inflicted on Indigenous Australians, with many calling for a formal Day of Mourning
- Events are held in cities across the country, with large crowds gathering in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, and Hobart
The national day of celebration, Australia Day, has been marred by widespread protests and calls for change, as thousands of Australians take to the streets to demand recognition of the trauma and pain inflicted on Indigenous Australians. The protests, held in cities across the country, are a stark reminder of the dark history of colonialism and the ongoing struggles of the First Nations people.
At the heart of the protests is the demand for a change to the national day of commemoration, with many calling for a formal Day of Mourning to acknowledge the centuries of pain and suffering inflicted on Indigenous Australians. The current date, January 26, marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, a day that is widely seen as a symbol of invasion and dispossession.
In Sydney, thousands of people gathered at Victoria Park for the Yabun festival, one of the largest and most significant First Nations gatherings on the national calendar. The festival, which celebrates Indigenous culture and survival, featured performances by prominent Indigenous artists, including Baker Boy and Emma Donovan. Addressing the crowd, Uncle Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves spoke of his grandson’s death in custody, saying “My grandson – my jaja – has been strangled for one Coca-Cola. We are losing too much of our loved ones. Not only that, our land has been taken away.”
In Melbourne, an estimated 1,000 people attended a dawn mourning service at Camp Sovereignty, where Woiwurrung and Boon Wurrung leaders conducted a traditional ceremony to mark the day of mourning. The service included speeches, traditional dances, and the reading of historical accounts of massacres against Aboriginal people. Organisers are calling for January 26 to be a day for truth-telling and sharing culture, rather than a day for celebration.
In Adelaide, thousands of protesters marched through the city, calling for a change to the date of Australia’s national celebration. Attendees at the Survival Day rally said they were there to “march for my people” and to demand recognition of the trauma and pain inflicted on Indigenous Australians. Uncle Bonny Gibson said, “We don’t always acknowledge the stuff that’s been taken away from Aboriginal people. You know, loss of language, loss of country, loss of identity.”
In Canberra, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Parliament House, chanting “Always was, always will be” and calling for a change to the national day of commemoration. The protest was met with a large police presence, with officers creating a barrier between the protesters and a smaller group of March for Australia demonstrators.
In Hobart, attendees at an Invasion Day rally were asked to turn their back on parliament and raise their fists, before chanting, “We won’t stop, we won’t go away, we won’t celebrate Invasion Day.” One attendee, Wajan, said, “I really believe in addressing that history and trauma and having an open dialogue.”
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
The widespread protests and calls for change are a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles of the First Nations people and the need for Australia to come to terms with its dark history. The current date of Australia Day is a painful reminder of the trauma and dispossession inflicted on Indigenous Australians, and the lack of recognition and reconciliation. The protests are a call to action, demanding that Australia acknowledges its past and works towards a future of truth-telling, reconciliation, and justice. As one protester said, “Why are we celebrating the death of First Nations people in this country?”
Security analysts say that the protests are a reflection of the growing frustration and anger among Indigenous Australians, who feel that their voices are not being heard and their concerns are not being addressed. The protests are also a reminder of the need for Australia to address its own identity and values, and to work towards a more inclusive and reconciled society.
Law enforcement insiders warn that the protests are a sign of a growing sense of discontent among Indigenous Australians, and that the government needs to take urgent action to address the underlying issues. The protests are a call to action, demanding that Australia acknowledges its past and works towards a future of truth-telling, reconciliation, and justice.
Industry observers believe that the protests are a sign of a shift in public opinion, with more and more Australians recognising the need for change and reconciliation. The protests are a reminder that Australia’s history is complex and multifaceted, and that it is time for the country to come to terms with its past and work towards a better future.