Invasion Day Rally kicks off at Apex Park in Byron Bay on Australia Day
A large crowd has gathered in Byron Bay for an Invasion Day Rally backing Indigenous rights and protesting Australia Day.
Byron Shire
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A large crowd has gathered in Byron Bay for an Invasion Day Rally backing Indigenous rights and protesting Australia Day.
Indigenous activist Ella Bancroft addressed those in attendance on Thursday morning and called on Australians to “stop raping our resources”.
“We are three per cent of the population carrying the rest of you on our shoulders,” she said.
Attendees have brought along their own placards to the gathering.
Signs at the event including live music and a numbers of speakers read: “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land” and “No pride in genocide”.
Delta Kay, an Indigenous leader in the Byron Shire, said she was proud to stand beside her allies.
“You our allies have chosen to sit with us today, but I’ll remind you today is a day of mourning,” she said.
Mia Thom, a young Indigenous activist known for her outspokenness, said Australia Day marked “237 years of rape and theft”.
“Why should we respect a couple of centuries of tradition when they won’t respect a millenia of our Indigenous culture?” she said.
“Until there is a treaty, until Indigenous mob can self govern, there is nothing to celebrate on January 26.”
“For us everyday is survival day, everyday is invasion day.”
“To our allies I ask you to remember, you are on stolen land - pay the rent.”
Byron resident Pamela Sandiford said she hoped Australia could reinvent itself.
“I hope we can move on from January 26 in all its shapes and forms,”she said.
“There’s so much we could celebrate, like a reconciliation day.”
“Change the date and move on.”
The Byron rally was held at the same time as similar Invasion Day protest across the country on Australia Day this year.
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