Black Lives Matter rally in Adelaide attracts thousands of protesters
More than 5000 people, many wearing protective masks, have packed Victoria Square in the city to join the global Black Lives Matter demonstrations.
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Thousands of people have packed Victoria Square for the Black Lives Matter rally to protest against racism.
There were no incidents at the peaceful protest, part of a global movement sparked by the horrifying death of African-American man George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.
The Adelaide protest attracted controversy after SA Police granted an exemption from coronavirus social gathering restrictions to allow it to proceed. A planned rally in Sydney was initially banned by the courts and sparked a legal battle, before being allowed to proceed.
Authorities estimated more than 5000 people attended the rally. After listening to speakers for nearly two hours, the crowd marched down King William St, at one point filling the entire two lengths of the CBD’s main street between Victoria Square and North Terrace.
Kaysee Rankine, 17, of Peterhead, said she joined the protest to stand up against racism.
“My mother is part of the stolen generation ... so it’s really important to me and it matters,” she said. “Racism is a big thing obviously (but) we are all the same and we should all just come together.”
Tabitha Gallagher, 16, of Taperoo, said “I don’t get why this is still happening”.
“We shouldn’t have to be doing these marches – it should already be settled.
“People are people. You don’t judge them from their skin colour, you see them as people.”
Kevin O’Laughlan, 73, of Pooraka, a Narungga man, said he attended the protest in memory of all indigenous people who had been unjustly incarcerated.
“It looks really great to have all different types of community members here supporting one another ... because I think we all believe in justice and fairness,” he said.
A series of emotional speakers relayed personal stories to the crowd, which chanted “black lives matter” and “not one more”.
The speakers focused on injustice and the need for everyone to come together.
“This is our country – whether you’re Aboriginal, you’re non-Aboriginal, to all other races, this is our country,” Jack Buckskin told the crowd.
“We’re all people. We’re all part of the same society and this is what this is about, it’s about us coming together as a people. This is our country together.”
Before the rally, families of SA coronavirus victims expressed concerns they could create a second wave of infections.
“This protest could end up costing people their lives. If there is an outbreak as a result of it, that’s the price. I don’t think the risk is worth the possible outcome,” said Sandi Todd, the widow of Riverland businessman Malcolm Todd, who was killed by coronavirus.
However, many of the attendees at the rally, which began at midday in Victoria Square, were wearing face masks.
Peter Madida, 30, of Adelaide, was doing his bit to keep people safe.
“I bought about six or so boxes of (masks) and am just giving them out,” he said.
“It’s important to stay safe while we show solidarity with George Floyd ... the little I can do to help is just handing out masks.”
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens – who decided to grant an exemption to the rally permitting it to go ahead – said the protest was a “unique and extraordinary event” that required balancing public health considerations with citizens’ rights to peacefully protest.
“There is a sentiment that suggests that people should have a right to peacefully protest on significant matters,” he said.
“There is also the reality that with significant numbers of people attending that the potential to prevent it from occurring is also a very difficult challenge for police.
“This can occur as a peaceful protest and we’re very keen to work with organisers to ensure it’s peaceful and it’s conducted in accordance with the social distancing principles.”
#blacklivesmatteraustralia #BLM #Adelaide pic.twitter.com/qKAqMyKxxD
— Ian Mannix (@sedvitae) June 6, 2020
Organiser (very emotional, sorry dont know name):"i never thought i'd see this day so many come together united."#BLM #blacklivesmatteraustralia #Adelaide pic.twitter.com/3BteVjJxGG
— Ian Mannix (@sedvitae) June 6, 2020
Right now in #Adelaide #blacklivesmatteraustralia pic.twitter.com/76ZcbIi4kh
— Muzafar Ali (@MuzafAli) June 6, 2020
Adelaide huge #blacklivesmatteraustralia #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/fPbkpLYIiK
— Dave Saddler (@CentreHalf4ward) June 6, 2020