Pro-Palestinian and Invasion Day groups join forces for Australia Day rallies

Melbourne businesses have been warned about potential disruptions with up to 30,000 Pro-Palestinian and ‘Invasion Day’ protesters preparing to march through the city, and other major capitals.

An Invasion Day march in Brisbane last year. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Pro-Palestinian activists will join forces with ‘Invasion Day’ protesters in opposition of Australia Day this weekend, as they ramp up their bid to get the public holiday scrapped with tens of thousands of people gearing up to rally for the second year in a row.

With the Australian Open men’s singles final to be played on Sunday, Tennis Australia and Melbourne businesses have been warned about potential disruptions with up to 30,000 protesters preparing to march through the city, opposing Australia Day and advocating for Palestine.

A social media post from War Collective Victoria – the group behind 10 Invasion Day rallies in Melbourne – has urged people to “grab your mob” and “clapsticks” ahead of the demonstration which kicks off at the Parliament House.

Several pro-Palestinian groups, including Melbourne’s largest factions – ‘Free Palestine Coalition’, and ‘Free Palestine Melbourne’ – have pinned the post to their homepage and invited supporters to join.

Sunday’s march will mark the second year pro-Palestine activists have joined ‘Invasion Day’ rallies. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

Separately, the Disrupt Wars group who organised numerous pro-Palestine rallies in Melbourne over the last year, including the Land Forces protest, called on people to march as an act of “solidarity with Indigenous peoples in their ongoing struggle for justice”.

“As we approach Invasion Day, it is more important than ever to learn and act with a deepened commitment to steadfast and genuine solidarity with First Nations’ leadership and revolutionary demands for decolonisation,“ the group said.

Business owners say they have been told to take steps to secure venues and staff, amid concerns more than 30,000 people could take to the streets.

The Victorian Police force have also issued a statement in anticipation, saying a separate pro-Australia Day protest was planned for outside the Australian Open tournament at Melbourne Park.

“Police have engaged with the event organisers; and they have provided information around their plans,” a police spokesperson said

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Thursday urged people wanting to stir trouble on Australia Day to steer clear of the tennis tournament, calling such plans “disgusting”.

“To target the Australian Open would be a disgusting act,” she said. “That would really break the patience of the public.”

Ms Allan maintained Victoria Police were equipped with the tools and resources they needed to handle large protests.

She said police would not hesitate to arrest people who become violent at protests.

“Let’s be clear, Victoria Police are operationally ready. They will be there in large numbers,” she said.

“No one should be using that right to peacefully protest and going in with the intent to cause violence.”

Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin slammed the Allan government and accused the Premier of turning Melbourne over to protesters.

“Australia Day should be about unity – not division. A recent poll found increased support for celebrating Australia Day with Victoria recording the highest level of support,” he said.

“Instead of the traditional Australia Day parade, the Allan Labor government has turned our city over to protesters.

“The poor state of Victoria is now on full display to the world, while all eyes are on Melbourne during the Australian Open’s night of nights. It’s embarrassing.”

In Sydney, the annual Invasion Day rally will take place at Belmore Park in the CBD from 9:30am.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy will host the ‘Sovereignty Day’ rally in Canberra at Garema Place during the same time.

Brisbane’s Invasion Day march will take place at Queens Gardens on George Street.