Australia Day 2018: Thousands turn out for protest in Melbourne CBD
THOUSANDS of protesters flooded into Melbourne’s CBD for a heated Australia Day rally, which saw a speaker claim Australia “does not deserve” a national day. An organiser who told the rally “F..k Australia, hope it burns to the ground” has made no apologies for her strong language
VIC News
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THE organiser of an Invasion Day rally who told protesters “F..k Australia, hope it burns to the ground” has made no apologies for her strong language during the march.
Rally organiser Tarneen Onus-Williams made the comments as thousands of people marched on state Parliament to protest Australia Day in Melbourne’s CBD
“I think when we come to these rallies people come with heightened emotions in the months and weeks leading up to the event,” Ms Onus-Williams said after the rally.
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“Yes, some people use that language but it’s nothing compared to the way aboriginal people had been treated.
“People will try and attack us or worry about the language but I feel like aboriginal people dying in custody is much worse.
“People who celebrate Australia Day are celebrating the genocide of aboriginal people, waving Australian flags in our faces. It’s disgusting.’’
“We don’t want the date changed. We don’t want to celebrate Australia Day at all.’’
Invasion Day rally now heading down Swanston St where the official parade was earlier today. Organisers shouting “shame†and that those with Australian flags “you should be embarrassed with yourself ... it’s disgusting†@theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/yxttsBnbb7
— Monique Hore (@moniquehore) January 26, 2018
Aboriginal elder Larry Walsh says that racial “profiling crap†needs to end, both for Indigenous Australians and other ethnicities blamed from crime in Melbourne #australiaday2018 @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/VUCZTEzie2
— Monique Hore (@moniquehore) January 26, 2018
Ms Onus-Williams estimated more than 60,000 people attended the march and said it would continue until Australia Day was completely abolished.
Others at the march suggested the crowd was closer to 7000.
The Invasion Day protesters were also told Australia “does not deserve” a national day, during the heated demonstration.
Elder Tony Birch told several thousand people gathered in Spring St that the country was “not mature enough” to celebrate on any day, not just January 26.
“This country does not deserve a day of national celebration in any capacity,” he said.
Thousands of people converged on the intersection of Spring St and Collins St, loudly chanting “always was, always will be Aboriginal land”.
The Invasion Day rally later headed down Swanston St — the route of the official parade, which ran earlier in the morning.
Organisers told the crowds celebrating the parade and Australia Day that they should “be embarrassed” and said it was “disgusting”.
“If you celebrate Australia Day, f***er, you’re celebrating the death of my ancestors,” the parade spectators were told.
“Shame” was chanted over a loud speaker.
The rally stopped at a number of intersections throughout the march to dance.
Spectator Ben Swan had watched the Australia Day parade but also the Invasion Day rally.
“I don’t really like it but they have a right to protest,” he said.
“I think it’s a day we should celebrate.
“I’m all for reconciliation but it’s time to move on.”
Victoria Police yesterday issued calls for calm between left and right-wing rallies scheduled today.
Police, including mounted and public order teams, blocked the steps of state Parliament.
Greens Leader Richard Di Natale spoke to supporters before the protest rally began.
He said he did not fear for his safety from right-wing groups and urged all Australians to support changing the date.
“It’s a day I want to celebrate because I am proud of this country but I will never be able to celebrate Australia Day in January 26 when it brings so much hurt and suffering to Aboriginal people,” he said.
The True Blue Crew and United Patriots Front are holding a “beach party” in St Kilda, where police were expected to have a heavy presence.
Invasion Day rally has begun marching down Bourke St, chanting “always was, always will be Aboriginal landâ€, “no pride in genocide†and “our land, our law†@theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/DMpptLlPZ7
— Monique Hore (@moniquehore) January 26, 2018
Invasion Day protest had stopped in the intersection of Bourke and Exhibitions streets for dances @theheraldsun #australiaday2018 pic.twitter.com/DyglrZU4FZ
— Monique Hore (@moniquehore) January 26, 2018
Authorities yesterday said intelligence did not suggest any terror threats.
Earlier in the day, right-wing activists took their cause to Moreland City Council to protest outside a citizenship ceremony.
Six men wearing Australian flags were handing out flyers to the new citizens at Coburg Town Hall.
“We are protesting the council’s decision to not refer to the phrase ‘Australia Day’ in the official ceremony,” Neil Erikson told AAP.
Mr Erikson was convicted in September for knowingly engaging in conduct with the intention of inciting serious contempt for or revulsion of a class of people, under the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.
They were not allowed to enter the ceremony and left when it started.
Moreland is one of three inner-city councils not recognising January 26 as Australia Day.
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