Anti-monarchy protesters rally on national day of mourning to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Demonstrators have gathered on the Queen’s memorial public holiday and set a flag alight in “solidarity” with Indigenous Australians.

Protesters in Melbourne have burnt a British flag in what they say is an “act of solidarity” with Indigenous Australians, on the Queen’s memorial public holiday.

Demonstrators from the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance took responsibility for the act on Thursday.

The group unfurled a banner in Brunswick which said ‘Abolish The Monarchy’ before burning a Union Jack flag as part of a “day of protests” across Australia.

The flag was set on fire in Brunswick on Thursday.

The alliance have previously pushed a “Say Nup to the Cup” agenda during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival, with some protesters blocking trains on the public holiday to progress their cause.

The group said today’s activity was an act of solidarity with First Nations people, and all those who have suffered under the colonisation of the British Empire.

Senator Lidia Thorpe with protesters outside Flinders Street Station on Thursday. Picture: David Crosling

Ms Thorpe splashes red paint on an Australian flag. Picture: David Crosling

An Australian flag is destroyed at the Flinders Street protest. Picture: David Crosling

“Today’s public holiday to mourn the death of the Queen is nothing more than an attempt by the Government of so-called Australia to continue to erase the brutal occupation of this country by the British Empire and whitewash the ongoing structural racism that continues to harm and murder First Nations peoples on their own unceded lands,” the statement from WACA said.

“White Australia has a black history. It is time to abolish the monarchy. Acknowledge sovereignty and make Treaty with First Nations peoples across so-called Australia. It’s time to pay the rent.”