Solidarity with First Nations peoples and taking a stand against the racism of Australia Day was high on their agenda.
The protest organisers Justice for David Dungay, Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties (FISTT), Indigenous Social Justice Association, Gamilaraay Next Generation, National Union of Students Anti-Racist Department and the Australian Student Environment Network had repeatedly asked to meet police to discuss the COVID-19 safety and other plans. They were ignored.
As the crowd poured into Djabargalli on an extremely hot day, the police changed tack after having earlier declared the protest was “unauthorised”. The police and government media barrage in the lead-up to the protest would have kept many others away.
More than 8,000 people attended an Invasion Day protest at Djarrbarrgalli (Sydney Domain) today.
The protest was led by First Nations activist group FISTT (Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties). Despite earlier police threats of fines and arrests, an agreement was made between organisers and police that no arrests would be made if it went ahead as a seated speak-out without a march.
“We’ve been threatened by police intimidation saying they will smash us if we take to the streets” said Gomeroi woman Gwenda Stanley. “Instead of allowing them to incite a riot we’ve advised everyone to disperse and stay safe.”