Thousands of protesters were out in full force this Invasion Day, carrying powerful signs and chants that speak volumes about the frustration, urgency, and determination driving them.
As you’ll note, January 26 holds a contentious place in Australian history. It marks the beginning of a long history of dispossession, violence, and colonial oppression for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It’s a Day of Mourning and reflection on a troubled past and, as rallies chanted across the country, it’s an acknowledgement of how the effects of colonisation continue to reverberate across generations today.
Attending the Invasion Day rally in Sydney, protestors’ signs and chants continued to share a story of grief and resistance.
Speaking to PEDESTRIAN.TV, one attendee explained the importance of raising awareness around this day.
“I’m here today because I think we need to talk about our history,” he said.
“We need to make people, especially new immigrants, aware of what the problem is with January 26.”
Another told us they were attending the rally in solidarity with First Nations people.
“I’m here today to support my First Nations brothers and sisters,” she said.
A medic at the event added he was present beyond a professional capacity to show his support “to the Indigenous peoples under this colony who, to this day, are still oppressed.”
The fact that sovereignty has never been ceded continued to be a common theme in speeches, as attendees reminded it always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Source: supplied
“For 237 years, they have stripped us of our culture, our colour, our connections,” said one speaker onstage.
“How many more generations have to stand here till you listen to us, because once again folks, sovereignty was never ceded. Will it be when I have children? When my children have children?”
A number of signs also highlighted the deeply troubling and ongoing crisis of Black deaths in custody, even as Indigenous people represent around three per cent of Australia’s population but a third of the total prison population, as of 2020.
Source: supplied
A similar sentiment seemed to reverberate across the country, as rallies in cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, and Adelaide saw thousands speak up about the significance of changing the date, questioning why a day with such a dark history should be celebrated.
If you weren’t able to attend any Invasion Day rallies but would still like to get involved with events to reflect on what the day represents, some cities will still have events and festivals taking place later in the evening.
And if you can’t attend those either, there are other ways to express your allyship or show up for your First Nations mates.
The post The Best Signs We Spotted At Invasion Day Rallies Today appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
