Here’s What the Invasion Day Rallies Around Australia Looked Like

Always was, always will be.

While 26 January is often a controversial or hard time of year for numerous Australians, it is also a day that shows how many of us can come together in solidarity to remember our history, make positive change for the future and end systematic racism and discrimination.

Every year, Indigenous people and allies have gathered together for Invasion Day rallies to protest the celebration of the day that the first fleet landed 233 years ago, on what is now called Sydney Harbour.

If you're not entirely sure why some Australians are protesting to change the date, you can quickly recap here.

The celebration of British colonisation not only diminishes the rich and strong cultural history of the longest surviving culture on the planet, but it dismisses the atrocities that contribute to the systematic racism that Indigenous Australians face to this day.

This year, cities all over Australia saw ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’ rallies planned in numbers that we have never seen before. According to 9NEWS, more than 10,000 people attended the rally just in Brisbane.

Many spoke, stood in support and marched to peacefully spread the message about our First Nations People and their histories.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Australians showed up in support, maintained social distancing and where possible, wore masks and sanitised their hands.

Here is what the day looked like all over the country:

Sydney

Perth

Brisbane

Canberra

Melbourne

invasion day/BLM protest in Melbourne today ❤️💛🖤 NO PRIDE IN GENOCIDE. pic.twitter.com/B2VwW2F2rw

— jess 🔞 (@jesssicajones) January 26, 2021

Adelaide

Good turnout at the Adelaide Invasion Day March today. pic.twitter.com/yvoBzRfake

— Antipodean Communist ☢️👽 (@EuropeanSpectre) January 26, 2021

Darwin

Hobart

Newcastle

huge turnout at the first annual invasion day rally in newcastle. fantastic work by organisers and volunteers to get this event running @AmyThunig #InvasionDay2020 pic.twitter.com/ROUIBuwcmS

— maddie wilson (@maddiewilson21) January 26, 2020

Alice Springs

Demonstrators have taken part in a smoking ceremony in Alice Springs as close to a thousand people have started to gather in Darwin where a smoking ceremony and speeches are underway. Protesters in Darwin have bowed their heads for a minute of silence. @SBSNews @NITV pic.twitter.com/Ut43m2iiVI

— Aneeta Bhole (@AneetaBhole) January 26, 2021

Whether or not you were able to join an event yesterday or not, you can continue to show your support online, via charities or by supporting Indigenous people, voices and brands.

Header Image: Twitter (@SueAnneHunter2)