Hundreds of people have marched through Meanjin (Brisbane) city for an Invasion Day rally hosted by the Yuggera Nation.
The message from First Nations people and supporters on the ground was abolishing the celebration of Australia Day.
“It’s our National Day of Mourning,” said Yuggera Elder Aunty Debbie Sandy.
“I’m pretty sure if somebody had their home invaded, their children taken away, their mothers and aunties raped, you would definitely not celebrate any day like that.”
The turnout for this year’s Invasion Day protests was smaller than usual.
Yuggera Elders Aunty Debbie Sandy (left), Uncle Desmond Sandy (middle) and organiser Regina Bonner (right). Source: Keira Jenkins
With health authorities warning the city’s COVID outbreak is set to peak, organisers provided masks, sanitiser and QR codes for people to scan when they arrived.
Despite the wet weather, those who attended said they hoped their message would still be heard.
“Invasion Day is a day of protest, mourning, a day of remembrance…” said organiser Sam Watson Jnr.
“But what Jan 26 is not, is Australia Day.”
The Brisbane Lions AFL club took to social media to show solidarity with First Nations people on January 26.
Source: AAP Image/Jono Searle
The club used its platform to share their players’ views about why it’s not a day to celebrate.
“All Indigenous people want to celebrate this great country, but we want to do it together, you know?” Nyoongar Yawaru Nyikina man Callum Ah Chee said in a video on Twitter.
“If we could celebrate it on another day, we (would) want to be a part of it.
“At the moment, Indigenous people are excluded, I guess…”
Yalanji Ganggalida Thanakwithi Yupundathi Iwaidja man Nakia Cockatoo said it’s hard to move on without reflection.
“Why not celebrate the country for what it is but also then that day is a day to remember the past… what has happened,” Mr Cockatoo said.
“Just put yourself in our shoes because there’s a lot of things that have happened over 200 years of history… stolen generations… just from that one day.”
