Invasion Day in Melbourne

IN PICTURES

Photos and words by Ali MC

Thousands hit the streets of Melbourne on January 26 in support of Aboriginal protests against Australia Day.

Contrary to misconceptions, organisers say the protest was not about ‘changing the date’ but to raise awareness of the ongoing impacts of colonisation and ‘drive conversation.’

In particular, the ongoing incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and men, as well as deaths in custody, was the theme of the speeches.

Placards of those people victim of deaths in custody or at the hands of the police were held up by family members, and flowers commemorating those lives lost were laid.

While there was a heavy police presence, the march from the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House to Flinders Street Station was largely peaceful, with the sound of thousands of voices shouting ‘always was, always will be Aboriginal land’ and ‘no pride in genocide.’

Aunty Di Kerr and Aunty Caroline Briggs give a welcome to country.

Aunty Di Kerr and Aunty Caroline Briggs give a welcome to country.

Aunty Di Kerr and Aunty Caroline Briggs give a welcome to country.

Family members hold placards of people victim to deaths in custody or at the hands of the police.

Family members hold placards of people victim to deaths in custody or at the hands of the police.

Family members hold placards of people victim to deaths in custody or at the hands of the police.

Flowers and photos of loved ones were also laid at the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House as a memorial to those who had lost their lives as part of ongoing colonisation.

Flowers and photos of loved ones were also laid at the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House as a memorial to those who had lost their lives as part of ongoing colonisation.

Flowers and photos of loved ones were also laid at the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House as a memorial to those who had lost their lives as part of ongoing colonisation.

A smoking ceremony was also held at the beginning of the march.

A smoking ceremony was also held at the beginning of the march.

A smoking ceremony was also held at the beginning of the march.

Children and families were also present, providing an opportunity to be involved with their community.

Children and families were also present, providing an opportunity to be involved with their community.

Children and families were also present, providing an opportunity to be involved with their community.

The protest and march were supported by all sectors of the community, including Muslim and Jewish groups.

The protest and march were supported by all sectors of the community, including Muslim and Jewish groups.

The protest and march were supported by all sectors of the community, including Muslim and Jewish groups.

A large police contingent was present at Parliament House.

A large police contingent was present at Parliament House.

A large police contingent was present at Parliament House.

Protesters carried an array of signs with various slogans and messages in support of Aboriginal self-determination.

Protesters carried an array of signs with various slogans and messages in support of Aboriginal self-determination.

Protesters carried an array of signs with various slogans and messages in support of Aboriginal self-determination.

The march then followed the course of the official Australia Day march which had occurred earlier that morning.

The march then followed the course of the official Australia Day march which had occurred earlier that morning.

The march then followed the course of the official Australia Day march which had occurred earlier that morning.

Despite the large crowds, the march while noisy, was largely peaceful.

Despite the large crowds, the march while noisy, was largely peaceful.

Despite the large crowds, the march while noisy, was largely peaceful.

As well as a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, the march also featured aspects of culture such as traditional dress, boomerangs and shields.

As well as a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, the march also featured aspects of culture such as traditional dress, boomerangs and shields.

As well as a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, the march also featured aspects of culture such as traditional dress, boomerangs and shields.

At times the march intersected with the onlooking crowds.

At times the march intersected with the onlooking crowds.

At times the march intersected with the onlooking crowds.

The theme of the march was well presented, by both speeches and signs.

The theme of the march was well presented, by both speeches and signs.

The theme of the march was well presented, by both speeches and signs.

In Flinders Street, a large media presence sought interviews from organisers and speakers.

In Flinders Street, a large media presence sought interviews from organisers and speakers.

In Flinders Street, a large media presence sought interviews from organisers and speakers.

As the protest had a sit-down outside Flinders Street Station, a far-right agitator was involved in an altercation with protesters.

As the protest had a sit-down outside Flinders Street Station, a far-right agitator was involved in an altercation with protesters.

As the protest had a sit-down outside Flinders Street Station, a far-right agitator was involved in an altercation with protesters.

With far right threats to disrupt the march on social media the preceding week, police were quick to quell the disruption and escort the man away.

With far right threats to disrupt the march on social media the preceding week, police were quick to quell the disruption and escort the man away.

With far right threats to disrupt the march on social media the preceding week, police were quick to quell the disruption and escort the man away.

Ali MC (Alister McKeich) is a writer, photographer and legal professional who holds a Masters in Human Rights Law. His work documents global human rights issues, and he has had the privilege of working with a number of Aboriginal communities here and internationally. Follow @alimcphotos

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