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Invasion Day Protest: Call for Justice and Indigenous Rights Mark Australia Day
Statues Damaged Ahead of Australia Day Protests
Two historic statues were vandalized in Melbourne before Australia Day, as tens of thousands joined protests nationwide in solidarity with Aboriginal groups. Many Indigenous Australians view the date, January 26, as a day of mourning, marking the beginning of British colonization.
Statues Targeted in Protest
- A statue of John Batman, a colonial figure involved in violence against Indigenous people, was sawn in half.
- A World War I memorial was defaced with red paint and the phrase “land back,” reflecting demands for the return of Indigenous lands.
Nationwide Protests Highlight Aboriginal Rights
- Approximately 15,000 people protested in Sydney, with events including music and dawn reflection ceremonies.
- In Melbourne, around 25,000 people marched through the central business district.
- Protesters addressed critical issues such as Aboriginal deaths in custody, land rights, missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and the need for a treaty.
Indigenous Voices Emphasize Survival and Resilience
Speakers at protests highlighted the ongoing impact of colonization. Indigenous Australian Amanda Hill said, “Invasion day. It’s just about the survival of our people. We’re still here. We ain’t going nowhere.”
Calls for Change Amid Political Divides
Efforts to create a constitutional voice for Aboriginal people to Parliament were defeated in a 2023 referendum. Meanwhile, Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticized the protests, stating that Australians “shouldn’t be afraid of celebrating” their country. He pledged to remove Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from government events if elected.
Cultural Recognition and Reflection
At a dawn event in Sydney, Indigenous artwork by Wiradjuri-Biripi artist James P. Simon was projected onto the Opera House, symbolizing the inclusion of Aboriginal culture in the day’s commemorations.
The protests and symbolic acts underscore the divide between celebrating national pride and addressing the historical injustices faced by Indigenous Australians.
“Invasion Day Protest: Call for Justice and Indigenous Rights Mark Australia Day” “Invasion Day Protest: Call for Justice and Indigenous Rights Mark Australia Day”