Australia Day Protests Spark Calmlère in Sydney
Five Arrests, Thousands of Voices
On Tuesday, January 26th, five folks were handcuffed in Sydney amid what most would describe as a serene, yet fiery, Australia Day gathering. The crowd—hundreds, maybe thousands—kept it calm, but they made it clear: they’re not eating the trend of staying indoors.
- Health Rules vs. Freedom of Expression: Protesters stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder, eyes glued to the sky while the authorities raised concerns about the risk of disease spread.
- Why the Fire: They rallied against the continued mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, shouting for acknowledgment and rectification.
- Wider Reach: Even beyond the metropolis, people took to the streets across the nation, turning the day into an anthem for unity and change.
The Day in Context
January 26th was chosen by UK forces as a milestone: the day the fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour in 1788, launching a penal colony without recognizing the existing indigenous settlement. For many Aboriginal Australians—whose roots on this continent stretch back a staggering 50,000 years—this date is not a celebration but a stark reminder of Invasion Day.
While most Australians keep the holiday quiet, this year’s protests knocked the status quo on its head—showing that how you mark the day depends on who’s narrating the history.
<img alt="" data-caption="Protesters hold up placards on Australia Day, demanding that the country's national day be changed, as the date marks the arrival of Britain's first fleet and subsequent colonisation of indigenous Australians, at a rally in Sydney, Australia, Jan 26, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”4d3f7019-35cb-464e-a653-ed0cd6bdede3″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210127_protestersholdingupplacards_reuters.jpg”/>
Australia’s Rally Ruckus: A Tale of Two Dates
When the banners flap and the chants fly, a familiar refrain echoes from Melbourne to Perth: “Black Lives Matter” and “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.” Televised footage shows the crowd’s energy rising, turning ordinary streets into a noisy, heartfelt protest hub.
Why Australia Day Matters
- From the perspective of Indigenous voices: “Until they abolish Australia Day, Invasion Day might… maybe be just a faint murmur,” says Lizzie Jarrett, a passionate Indigenous activist in Sydney.
- The stakes: These protests aren’t just about a calendar event—they call attention to the enduring wounds of colonisation and the need for a national reckoning.
Lizzie Says…
“At this moment, until this nation celebrates genocide, we will not be silent, we will not stop, and we will keep coming,” she declares, her voice carrying through the crowds.
What’s Next?
- Continued demonstrations on every Australia Day and Invasion Day
- Calls from community leaders for a re‑evaluation of national symbols
- The growing momentum that hopes for policy changes and a shift in public consciousness
In an era where voices are louder and more diverse than ever, the conviction behind these chants shines brighter than any fireworks.
<img alt="" data-caption="Leetona Dungay, the mother of David Dungay Jr., speaks about the death of her son in police custody and George Floyd's death while addressing protesters demanding that Australia Day, the country's national day, be changed, at a rally in Sydney, Australia, Jan 26, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”f3ed1130-9364-4b1c-a91b-981664acf0b7″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210127_blacklivesmatterbanner_reuters.jpg”/>
Sydney’s Swing‑in Protest: Numbers, Arrests and the “Good Guys” Vibe
When the sun hit the city, around 2,000 to 3,000 people flooded the streets of Sydney—just enough to make the city feel “party‑ish” but not so much that the police had to grab their invisible nets. The New South Wales Police estimated the crowd size with the calm of a snake oil salesman telling a news story.
“It Was Mostly Good, With a Dash of Bad”
- Arrests Tracked Down – A sleepy handful of folks were hauled away for breaking the “public conduct rules” and getting into a spat with the police. Think of it as a brief, awkward dance with law enforcement.
- Mostly Well‑Behaved Protesters – The police echoed that the majority of the crowd stayed “well-behaved.” They were like a bunch of pacifist vegans at a steakhouse: quiet, civil and quietly loud at the same time.
So, while the city’s streets weren’t exactly a riot, they were less than a climate change, more like a peaceful march in the rain. (And that’s a pretty sweet mix!)
<img alt="" data-caption="Police officers are seen as protesters demand that the country's national day be changed, as the date marks the arrival of Britain's first fleet and subsequent colonisation of indigenous Australians, at an Australia Day rally in Sydney, Australia, Jan 26, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”52a11756-c3f3-4670-b344-c75f592d1f44″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210127_policeofficers_reuters.jpg”/>
Melbourne’s Flag‑Flashing March
In the heart of the city, a wave of thousands took to the streets, clutching Aboriginal flag tees like it was a fashion statement.
- Thousands marched.
- Many waved flag‑topped shirts.
- Organisers kept a close eye on social‑distancing—no tangoing in a crowd!
Adelaide’s Sit‑Down Showdown
Down in Adelaide, 4,000 steady‑eyed activists made their mark by simply taking a seat and holding the floor. One might say they turned the plaza into a “no‑puff” lounge.
Brisbane’s Big Crowd Bunch
Christina Cabinn, a talk about the buzzing energy in Brisbane: a huge 5,000 strong crowd gathered, all eyes on the social law balancing act.
<img alt="" data-caption="Protesters gather on Australia Day, demanding that the country's national day be changed, as the date marks the arrival of Britain's first fleet and subsequent colonisation of indigenous Australians, at a rally in Sydney, Australia, Jan 26, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”d5f5de04-7670-4b0f-8370-9a237569ceca” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210127_protesters_reuters.jpg”/>
Australia Day 2024: Cheers, Chants, and a Dash of COVID
July 14th rolled around and the nation went from puffing up flags to mingling over vanilla chats. The day paired, quite literally, an earnest shoutout to Indigenous history with a sprinkle of mainstream celebrations.
From Sandbars to Petitions: The 2024 Day in a Nutshell
- Indigenous Spotlight: Speeches from elders, smoke‑inhaling rituals (yes, you read that right), welcome‑to‑country ceremonies, and break‑dancing too. The goal? Remind all Australians that a deep‑rooted past exists beyond the bread and beer.
- Flags on the Skyline: Sydney’s Harbour Bridge proudly carried Aboriginal flags while the iconic Opera House glowed in Indigenous colors. A visual pop of “we’re all here” in the sky.
- March 2024 Poll the Ipsos Polls: Roughly one‑third of folks support moving the holiday date to a less controversial day. Meanwhile, nearly half cling to the traditional slot. The debate is alive, folks.
- Beach‑Bashing & Picnic Patrols: Thousands splashed into sun‑bathe spots across the country, embracing the “get together” vibe. Yet, some official gatherings had to hit the brakes thanks to lockdowns.
- COVID Updates: Australia has, surprisingly, achieved a low case count (just 28,800) and 909 deaths in Victoria alone. On Tuesday, the country marked its ninth straight day of zero community transmissions — a small victory dance!
- PM’s Take: Scott Morrison told Canberra’s official coffee‑meeting (yes, the indie coffee bar) that Australia Day marks the nation’s march from “First Fleet fears” to “modern citizen strides.” He declared, “We’ve surpassed that brutal start.” Quick rallying cry!
Looking Ahead: The Pulse Behind the Day
With the “Cheers, Chants, and Covid Chronicles” spinning, Australians remained watchful. A message on the “latest anti‑virus updates” quietly reminded everyone: stay tuned, keep safety high, and let’s keep the party fresh. (You can find more updates here—but keep that click tab hidden because we’re all about the vibes, not the code.)
As the pages tick, the Australian Post would be shouting “November 2024: a new date or continue the fest? We’ll see!” Citizens, whether they’re beachcombers or flag‑holders, march forward—one foot, one community, one shared memory. Cheers to that!
