Threat mars rally as protesters swarm Australian cities
Nick Wilson, Allanah Sciberras and Farid Farid |
Thousands of Australians have joined Invasion Day rallies and anti-immigration protests with a threat disrupting one event.
Marchers at Perth’s Invasion Day rally were moved on from Forrest Place in the CBD after an object was reportedly thrown into the crowd.
“Significant police resources have been deployed to the area, and an exclusion zone has been established,” WA Police said in a statement.
“Members of the public are asked to stay away from the area and await further advice.
“One person is in custody and assisting police with inquiries.”
Footage on social media shows officers telling attendees to keep moving away from the vicinity of an area where it was “dangerous”.
Crowds braved extreme heat in other parts of the nation to rally for changing the date of Australia Day or replacing it with a day of mourning.
Protesters met on the steps of Melbourne’s parliament house for a smoking ceremony and speeches from Elders and activists.
Police were out in force, protecting against potential clashes with crowds who had gathered for a nearby March for Australia rally.
The two demonstrations snaked through the city only streets apart, with each ending where the other began.
“Please, do not engage,” was the advice Gunnai and Gunditjmara activist Meriki Onus gave Invasion Day protesters ahead of potential run-ins.
Among those who addressed the Invasion Day rally was Millie Ingram, who read a statement on behalf of Uncle Mark Brown, a Burunong Elder.
Mr Brown’s Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance was heckled by neo-Nazis on Anzac Day in 2025.
Protesters then marched chanting “Always was, always will be” and “What do we want? Land rights. When do we want them? Now.”
The largely peaceful Invasion Day march concluded near Flinders Street Station, where the March for Australia rally had begun earlier in the day.
At that protest, chants of “deportation” and “send them back” were heard as attendees waved Australian flags and carried signs supporting Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.
As the group moved towards the steps of parliament, loud boos erupted as protesters passed the Immigration Museum.
Riot and mounted police lined the streets, guiding demonstrators, including neo-Nazi members dressed in plain clothes.
Police were quick to break up a clash after a man was seen attempting to burn the Australian flag, prompting another man to step in and hurl abuse.
Similar protests were held across all capital cities, including in Brisbane, where Senator Hanson took to the stage.
“I’ve never felt so honoured and proud as I am to be here today,” she said to an enthusiastic crowd.
“Thank you for flying the Australian flag and showing pride in our country.”
In Sydney, March for Australia protesters shouted chants of “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – oi, oi, oi” amid a heavy police presence.
Protesters were draped in Australian flags while some held signs reading “Free Joel Davis”, referring to a neo-Nazi on remand for allegedly harassing a federal MP.
An Invasion Day protest earlier kicked off in Hyde Park, opening with a minute’s silence and a tribute to the victims of the recent Lake Cargelligo shooting.
Palestinian flags and keffiyehs were visible among Indigenous flags and placards.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was hopeful the protests would proceed peacefully, adding there would be “no tolerance for violence or hate speech on Sydney’s streets.”
AAP
