Media reports showed tens of thousands of protesters rallying in Australia’s capital cities on 26 January, protesting about the public holiday and historic abuses suffered by Australia’s Indigenous population it symbolises. The ‘Day of Mourning’ or ‘Invasion Day’ marches were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Perth, with survival day events in Adelaide and Darwin.
Rally numbers increase Australia wide
Attendance at these events has grown rapidly over the last few years, with early protests only attracting crowds in the hundreds, compared to over 30,000 cited by event organisers and the media this year.
Other unions in attendance at the Sydney march included the Maritime Union of Australia and National Tertiary Education Union.