Thousands of people have gathered in cities across the country to protest Australia Day.
‘Invasion day’ events were held throughout the day on Saturday, as protesters marched for Aboriginal rights.
Australia Day is a contentious issue as some believe the day enforces a false narrative.
The day is held in honour of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships.
However, there is a growing number of Australians who believe the day has become a symbol of inequality and institutionalised harm.
Carrying placard, they chanted: ‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal land’
‘Invasion day’ events were held throughout the day on Saturday, as protesters marched for Aboriginal rights (pictured)
Australia Day is a contentious issue as some believe the day enforces a false narrative
At least 5,000 people gathered at Victorian parliament, pushing through a police line as they started their march
At least 5,000 people gathered at Victorian parliament, pushing through a police line as they started their march.
They chanted: ‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal land’.
The event started with a minute’s silence and speeches rallying against Aboriginal deaths in custody, the abolition of public drunkenness laws, calling for an end to children being taken from family care and a spate of aboriginal child suicides.
Protesters forced the intersection of Bourke and Spring Streets to shut down as the mass of people made their way to Federation Square.
A banner reading ‘Abolish Australia Day’ hung from London’s Westminster Bridge in a show of solidarity with events in Australia (pictured)
Protesters forced the intersection of Bourke and Spring Streets to shut down as the mass of people made their way to Federation Square
Swarms of aboriginal activists and supporters also filled Sydney’s Hyde Park, pushing the message to ‘change the date’ of Australia Day from January 26.
‘We don’t need to change the date, we need to change the country,’ Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge told the crowd.
Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians marched through Brisbane supporting the cause too.
Protesters forced the intersection of Bourke and Spring Streets to shut down as the mass of people made their way to Federation Square
About 30 protesters held the banner off the bridge as throngs of tourists walked by in London (pictured)
Mally Currie, a Mununjali man, said the conversations about Australia Day should include the nation’s indigenous history.
‘As soon as we change the mood and start speaking civil to one another consciously, the better we can move forward,’ he said.
‘Walk with me, talk with me, hold my hand.
‘It’s a journey of respect.’
London Australia Solidarity Activism Hub spokeswoman Eda Sehyan said they felt it was important as they were in London, in the former heart of empire, to protest
Protesters are seen marching through the streets of Sydney
A banner reading ‘Abolish Australia Day’ hung from London’s Westminster Bridge in a show of solidarity with events in Australia.
About 30 protesters held the banner off the bridge as throngs of tourists walked by.
London Australia Solidarity Activism Hub spokeswoman Eda Sehyan said they felt it was important as they were in London, in the former heart of empire, to protest.
Pictured are protesters swarming the streets in Melbourne
Australia Day is held in honour of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships