Australia: Thousands of demonstrators calling for a change in Australia Day’s date have taken to the streets across the nation and gathered in front of Parliament House in Canberra.
On Friday afternoon, anti-Australia Day demonstrators and Palestinian activists congregated outside Parliament House in Canberra, resulting in the building’s entrance being secured.
Outside the building, there were chants of “always was, always will be,” and among the throng, there were flags belonging to both the Palestinian and Aboriginal people.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Victoria Square, which opened with a smoking ceremony and marched through the streets of Adelaide.
At least 10,000 people are thought to have gathered in Melbourne on the steps of Victoria’s parliament, where protesters were seen waving Palestinian and Aboriginal flags as well as large banners and posters.
During the event, the organisers declared their support for Palestinians and brought up the Middle East conflict.
To guarantee that one of Australia’s biggest Australia Day demonstrations remained peaceful, there was a significant police presence in the area. The crowd could be heard cheering while a smoke ceremony was happening.
Sydney’s Belmore Park hosted an Invasion Day demonstration featuring identical images of Palestinian and Aboriginal flags and posters.
Protesters demanded that NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “end the war on Black kids” and safeguard Aboriginal territory.
Similar demonstrations were held in Hobart, where demonstrators marched down Elizabeth Street with the banner “Australia Day is not OK,” and in Brisbane at Queens Gardens.
MOST READ | Wildfire urges residents in Western Australia to flee
