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.
The ABC has been accused of dividing the nation by referring to Australia Day as Invasion Day in an online guide for events happening on January 26, while Police Minister David Elliott has slammed the national broadcaster for promoting a protest which organisers expect to breach COVID-19 gathering rules. A piece published on the ABC News website yesterday said January 26 marks Australia Day or Invasion Day, typically seen as a celebration of the nation or a day of sorrow for the colonisation of an ancient culture . An accompanying tweet said: What to do on Australia Day/Invasion Day in 2021 . That terminology was criticised yesterday by Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt.
The ABC has been accused of dividing the nation by referring to Australia Day as Invasion Day in an online guide for events happening on January 26, while Police Minister David Elliott has slammed the national broadcaster for promoting a protest which organisers expect to breach COVID-19 gathering rules. A piece published on the ABC News website yesterday said January 26 marks Australia Day or Invasion Day, typically seen as a celebration of the nation or a day of sorrow for the colonisation of an ancient culture . An accompanying tweet said: What to do on Australia Day/Invasion Day in 2021 . That terminology was criticised yesterday by Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt.