Thousands gather across the country for protests on Australia Day
Thousands of protesters have gathered for Invasion Day rallies across the country.
In Sydney, demonstrators braved the heat to gather at Belmore Park in the city's CBD this morning before marching along George Street to Victoria Park near Broadway.
Both Aboriginal and Palestinian flags were spotted among the crowd at this year's rally with protesters calling for abolishing the date of Australia Day and urging for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Demonstrators participate in a Invasion Day protest at Belmore Park, Sydney, on January 26. Getty
Speeches were used to shine a light on Aboriginal Deaths in custody and the effects of colonisation on First Nations people.
"How can we rejoice when our people have among the highest suicide rates in the world?" one speaker said.
"How can we be young and free when my brother boys are statistically proven to be more likely to get locked up over petty crimes than to finish year 12?"
"Our people make up three per cent of this country, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the most incarcerated people in this country, making up nearly half of the prison population."
A woman wearing a keffiyeh holding an Aboriginal flag looks on during an Invasion Day protest at Belmore Park. Getty
Protest organisers, the Black Caucus, have listed nine key priorities including the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, protection of Aboriginal land from climate devastation and mining, as well as cutting ties with Israel.
In Melbourne, people lined the steps of Victorian parliament donning placards reading "No Pride in Genocide" while others wore keffiyeh scarfs.
Key speakers took to the stage including veteran Indigenous rights activist, Gary Foley, who told the crowd January 26 is a day when "Aboriginal people reaffirm their commitment to the ongoing struggle for justice".
Demonstrators brandish a banner during an Invasion Day rally in Victoria. Facebook
He added this year's rally was also an opportunity to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
"This year is a particular historic gathering, in that, because of what's going on in another part of the world, we have invited our Palestinian brothers and sisters," he said.
In Brisbane protesters packed Queens Gardens brandishing banners reading "Land Back" as they marched to Musgrave Park.
Demonstrators also gathered in Hobart's city centre to march down Elizabeth Street, where some were heard chanting: "Australia Day is not ok, we won't celebrate Invasion Day".
In Brisbane protesters packed Queens Gardens. Facebook
Demonstrations are also being held at Civic Park in Dariwn, Victoria Square in Adelaide and Forrest Chase in Perth.
Invasion Day rallies have significantly gathered steam in recent years.
Though for many Australia Day means a welcomed day off from work and a chance to celebrate with family and friends, the date is observed as a day of mourning for many First Nations people.
January 26 was made a public holiday in 1994.
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