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Protests mark ‘Invasion Day’ across Australia

Tuesday, 26 January 2016 11:34 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 26 January 2016 11:37 AM ]

People participate in the “Invasion Day” march in Sydney, Australia, January 26, 2016.

Thousands have marched across Australia to mark the anniversary of the arrival of the so-called First Fleet of British ships in the country more than two centuries ago, and the ensuing massacre of indigenous people.

Marchers participated in a rally in Sydney on Tuesday, which marked Australia Day, to mourn the "day of killing" that accompanied the 1788 landing, and to highlight the human rights violations that followed.

The demonstrators also chanted “Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land” as they marched from The Block in Redfern to downtown Sydney, where speeches were later delivered and traditional dances performed.

Ken Canning, from the indigenous Social Justice Association, said indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded, noting that January 26 is considered by indigenous Australians as the day of invasion.

The day, known as Australia Day, is officially the national day of Australia.

An indigenous man holds up a sign at an “Invasion Day” rally outside Melbourne’s Parliament House, Australia, January 26, 2016.

“It is the day of what I call ‘the killing times,’” Canning said, adding that he wanted Australia Day moved to another date out of respect for Aboriginal Australians.

“I don’t mind Australia Day but they can have it on January 1,” Canning said.

A large number of people also converged outside Parliament House in Melbourne to listen to speeches by Aboriginal speakers.

An indigenous man participates at an “Invasion Day” rally outside Melbourne’s Parliament House, Australia, January 26, 2016.

They said there was still a long way to go until indigenous people in Australia could achieve equal rights, calling for Australia Day to be moved to another date.

Large crowds also gathered at similar rallies in Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Aboriginal Australians have long been subjected to genocide, forced permanent removal, dispossession, racial discrimination and the destruction of traditional lands.

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