For non-Indigenous Australians, January 26 has in recent years been celebrated as ‘Australia Day’, for Indigenous Australians, it’s Invasion Day. The date, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet, has become a day of mourning for what those tall ships from England brought with them—death, suffering, and the beginning of what’s now over two centuries of injustice and dispossession to First Nations people.
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Being a good ally to Indigenous Australians is about more than talking the talk; you need to walk the walk. Putting in time, money, and solidarity at a local Invasion Day protest on January 26 is a good way to start.
This year marks 250 years since English explorers first entered Australian land, and eight years later saw the forced removal, slaughter, and Westernisation of countless First Nations people who called Australia home. Successive Australian government policies would spend the next couple of centuries inflicting trauma on Indigenous people, the effects of which are still felt today.
Here’s a quick history lesson, because God knows we weren’t taught this in school.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7hcCF2gu5k/
Thousands of people mark January 26 as a day to mourn those who have passed, and hold protests and demonstrations to fight for Indigenous rights. Just about every major capital city holds rallies and gatherings to call for action on things such as transparency around Indigenous deaths in custody, the inclusion of First Nations people in the Australian constitution, and changing the date of Australia Day from January 26.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7k0az8g24I/
So here is a list of gatherings, protests, demonstrations, rallies, and marches on this Sunday, January 26, for you to get along to and stand in solidarity with First Nations people across the mainland and our surrounding islands.
Invasion Day 2020 Protests & Gatherings
Where to attend: Eora Nation / Warrang / Sydney
INVASION DAY RALLY
Meet at 11am at Hyde Park South, corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, marching through to Yabun at Victoria Park.
YABUN FESTIVAL
Yabun Festival is on at Victoria Park, Camperdown from 10am to 7pm.
Where to attend: Kulin Nation / Naarm / Melbourne
INVASION DAY DAWN SERVICE
Meet at 5:30am at Kings Domain Resting Place, near Linlithgow Avenue opposite Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda. Event information is available here.
INVASION DAY RALLY
Meet at 11am at Parliament House, Spring Street.
SHARE THE SPIRIT FESTIVAL
Share The Spirit festival kicks off at 12pm at Treasury Gardens, running until 7pm.
Where to attend: Kaurna Country / Tandanya / Adelaide
SURVIVAL DAY 2020 CONCERT
Survival Day 2020 is on at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute from 1-6pm. Head down to 253 Grenfewll Street and the adjacent park in Adelaide to join in on the family-friendly celebrations. More information over here.
Where to attend: Whadjuk Noongar Country / Boorloo / Perth
INVASION DAY RALLY
An Invasion Day rally is currently planned for Forest Place, on Wellington Street in Boorloo (Perth), from 12pm – but there are currently some issues with double-booking. The rally may potentially be moved to Yagan Square by the State Library. Keep yourself updated over on the event page.
Yuggera Land / Meanjin / Brisbane
INVASION DAY RALLY
Meet at 10am at Queens Garden, march to Musgrave Park.
Where to attend: Ngunnawal Country / Canberra
CANBERRA SURVIVAL DAY MARCH
Meet at Veterans Park in the city at 11am for an 11.30am start across the Commonwealth Avenue bridge, the Survival Day march led by the United Ngunnawal Youth Council will finish at Parliament House Lawns at 12.30pm. Protesters are encouraged to bring banners, signs, and plenty of water.
Where to attend: Larrakia Country / Darwin
JANUARY 26: ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE
January 26: Always Was, Always Will Be is on at Civic Park in Darwin from 11am, with a Welcome To Country, key speakers, free BBQ, and art workshops happening until 2:30pm.
Where to attend: muwinina Country / Hobart
CHANGE THE DATE RALLY
This year’s Change The Date rally kicks off from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) at 198 Elizabeth St, Hobart at 11am, and arrives at Parliament Lawns at 11.45am.
