Indigenous rights activists protest as Australians mark British colonial anniversary

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Two historic monuments were vandalized in Melbourne ahead of Australia Day on Sunday, as tens of thousands of people across the country joined protests in support of Aboriginal groups who say the day is no fun.

A statue of colonist John Bateman, the founder of the country’s second largest city and a participant in the massacre of indigenous people, was sawed in half, and a monument commemorating Australian soldiers in the First World War was carved in red. According to police and local media reports, the words “return”.

January 26 Australia National Day is a day of mourning for many Australians because it is the day Captain James Cook landed in Sydney Cove and the day the country began to be colonized by the British.

Protesters carried Palestinian flags, and speakers drew parallels between the Aboriginal and Palestinian experiences.

“Invasion Day. It’s just about the survival of our people. We’re still here. We’re not going anywhere. You know, you can try to assimilate all you want, but we’re still here,” said Australian Amanda Hill.

Protesters gather at the “Occupy Day” rally outside Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, Australia on January 26, 2025, Australia’s National Day. Police estimated that 25,000 people took to the streets. (Edgar Su/Reuters)

Wiradjuri-Biripi artist James P. Simon’s artwork has been displayed on Opera House canvases at one of the many Dawn Reflections events around the country.

Police estimated 15,000 people took part in protests and music events across Sydney throughout the day.

In Melbourne’s central business district, police estimated around 25,000 people took to the streets.

Speakers at the protest spoke about issues important to Aboriginal Australians, including Aboriginal deaths at the hands of police, missing and murdered Aboriginal women, land rights and the push for an accord to support indigenous peoples.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s bid to establish a constitutional vote for Aboriginal peoples in a 2023 referendum has been soundly defeated.

A man holds a sign with an Australian Aboriginal flag above a Palestinian flag among protesters. — Supporters of Palestine and “Occupy Day” protesters gather at a rally outside Flinders Street Station on Australia National Day in Melbourne, Australia. Some opponents have drawn parallels between the Aboriginal and Palestinian experiences. (Reuters/Edgar Su)

In a post on social media, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Australians should not be afraid to celebrate their country on Australia Day.

Dutton said the country must come together under one flag and said he would remove the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from government press conferences if he becomes prime minister in the mid-May election.