‘Take action into your own hands’: Small crowd gathers for ‘Invasion Day’

While many were out celebrating at beaches and barbecues, a small crowd gathered in Brisbane on Sunday to mark ‘Invasion Day’.

First Nation people and their supporters take part in an ‘Invasion Day’ in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Protestors gathered in Brisbane City’s Queens Garden to voice what they claim are ongoing injustices faced by First Nations Australians since British colonisation began on January 26, 1788.

Despite many flocking to our nation’s beaches and barbecues to celebrate being Australian, for First Nations people, January 26, or ‘Invasion Day’ is a moment for mourning and solemn remembrance with many calling for the date to be changed entirely.

The event, run by grassroots activists First Nations Action Network, organised the rally as an opportunity for members of the community to come together to stand in solidarity with First Nations Australians.

The ‘Invasion Day’ street marches - which happen every year - have previously drawn tens of thousands of protesters.

This year the crowd was noticeably smaller, with the event largely confined to the garden, indicating perhaps the movement is losing currency in the wider community.

The crowd was smaller this year. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Among the sea of Indigenous Australian flags flying amongst the crowd were a noticeable number of Palestinian flags.

Standing before a statue of Queensland Victoria, keynote speakers asserted Indigenous Australians as the “rightful owners” of Australia, calling for unity and truth telling as a part of reconciliation.

They claimed the day was a reminder of the ongoing systemic injustices facing Indigenous Australians today, and said deaths in custody, economic disadvantage and lack of land rights were significant issues.

First Nation woman Guyala Bayles. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

First Nations activist and Goomeroi Kooma woman, Ruby Wharton, took the stage with a fiery call for First Nations liberation and the abolishment of Australia Day.

“We cannot rely on the policing and family systems, they are the property of our misery,” Ms Wharton said.

“We need to be brave enough to take our own lives into our own hands.”

“Don’t be afraid to make consequences, this government doesn’t listen when we behave good.

“Go out and challenge every single obstacle in your community, whether it’s at school or your workplace, you will be celebrated in your own community.

“Don’t be afraid to take action into your own hands.”

First Nations man Daniel Keneth said January 26 marked a day of survival for his people.

“Today marks the genocide against my people, the stealing of our land, it’s a day of mourning more than a day of celebration,” Mr Keneth said.

Mr Keneth said for him, the spirit of celebration that occurred on January 26 was more confronting than the date itself.

The crowd was small but passionate. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

“I would like to see it become an internationally recognised day of mourning for the Aboriginal people for the loss that we’ve suffered, the loss of our loved ones, the loss of our land.”

Around his neck, Mr Keneth wore a scarf emblazoned with the colours of the Palestinian flag, a conflict which resonates deeply for him as an Aboriginal Australian.

“The conflict in Israel is essentially the same story as what happened here - a colonising power coming in and stealing land by force,”

Federal Member for Brisbane Stephen Bates was amongst the crowd but declined to share his views personally.

“I think on a day like today it’s important to prioritise the views of First Nations people,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Take action into your own hands’: Small crowd gathers for ‘Invasion Day’