Tens of thousands of Australians attended Yes events in support of an Indigenous voice to parliament over the weekend

Yes23 now expects 70,000 volunteers by polling day, after estimating more than 200,000 Australians joined Yes23 marches.

Noel Pearson campaigned in Redfern, Summer Hill and Newcastle for a Yes vote over the weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Supporters of an Indigenous voice to parliament are hopeful a “people movement” will defy the polls and clinch victory on referendum day, amid Yes23 expectations a massive 70,000 volunteers will have signed up by October 14.

Yes23 organisers said between 150,000-200,000 Australians – including some of the nation’s most famous singers and prominent Indigenous leaders – were estimated to have attended 40 Walks for Yes events in capital cities and regional towns over the weekend, chanting “Yes” in places lsuch as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle, Darwin and Adelaide.

Bernard Fanning, Dan Sultan, John Butler, Missy Higgins, Peter Garrett and Spiderbait were among musicians to add their support for the voice.

Yes23 spokeswoman Rachel Perkins hoped it showed a “movement of the people”. “It’s not the politicians, it’s everyday people,” she said from the Sydney event. “Artists, sporting groups, religious groups, everyone’s allowed to have an opinion on this, whoever you are. Only the people can change the Constitution and you can see the mass movement of people that’s gathered here now.”

Rachael Perkins at the Sydney Walk for Yes from Redfern Park to Victoria Park on Sunday. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Yes23 sources said 70,000 volunteers were needed to staff all polling booths properly on October 14 and the campaign would absolutely get there, after already reaching almost 40,000 volunteers.

All Liberal Party state divisions and the Nationals have pledged to actively support the No campaign and volunteer on polling day and at pre-poll, in a significant boost to its 15,000 signed-up volunteers.

While the focus was on the people on Sunday, many politicians, including government ministers Linda Burney, Jim Chalmers, Tanya Plibersek, Chris Bowen and Mark Dreyfus and Labor premiers Chris Minns, Annastacia Palaszczuk and Roger Cook joined in the marches.

Anthony Albanese did not attend any of the walks, but appeared with Indigenous leader Noel Pearson at a yarning table in his inner-west Sydney electorate on Saturday afternoon, with government sources noting it was a weekend of action.

Leading Yes campaigners such as Marcia Langton, who has drawn criticism for accusing the No campaign of racism, and Thomas Mayo were at the Melbourne and Brisbane rallies, respectively, on Sunday.

“We’re not taking any demographic or state for granted,” Mr Mayo said. “We’re working hard to reach all Australians to help them understand what a simple proposition this is. We’re talking about recognition.”

Mr Mayo said when undecided voters saw “this demonstration of love and hope and opportunity for a better future for Indigenous children”, they’d get on board.

Sunday’s Sydney Walk for Yes. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

In Perth, an estimated 5000 people, including WA Premier Roger Cook and former Liberal Indigenous Australians minister Ken Wyatt, gathered in front of the statue of Indigenous AFL legend Nicky Winmar before marching across the Matagarup Bridge.

While several polls have shown WA as the state where support for the voice is at its lowest, Yes campaign director Dean Parkin told the event he was convinced the state would vote in favour. “There’s a lot of people over east writing off WA. They’re saying there’s no room in the heads and the hearts of West Australians,” he said. “On the 14th of October, Western Australia I am absolutely convinced is going to be a Yes state in a successful referendum.”

A voice would provide a practical way to address key issues facing Indigenous people. “The No vote offers absolutely nothing,” he said.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: James Dowling, Paul Garvey