Tens of thousands join ‘Invasion Day’ rallies across the country

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Tens of thousands of people have joined marches across Australia in protest of January 26 being used as the national day.

In Melbourne alone, police said 25,000 people were at Parliament House.

Whilst the vast majority of demonstrations – both for and against Australia Day – were peaceful, arrests were made in Adelaide where suspected neo-Nazis attempted to interrupt a rally.

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"Invasion Day" rallies have become widespread on January 26, with most capital cities hosting multiple protests and events celebrating Indigenous culture on a day that is observed as one of mourning for many First Nations people.

Victoria Police said they had a "highly visible presence" throughout the entire Melbourne CBD, where 25,000 marched from Parliament House to Flinders Street, concluding about 4pm.

Meanwhile, about 50-70 people attended a pro-Australia Day rally in Gosch's Paddock, adjacent to Melbourne Park, about 12.30pm.

There were no arrests at either event, police said.

Multiple arrests were made in Adelaide as alleged members of a far-right group arrived and clashed with protesters of a Survival Day march.

Images show officers pinning to the ground members of the National Socialist Network who were holding a counter protest in the parklands, according to a Getty photographer.

South Australia Police confirmed to 9news.com.au a number of arrests were made and the individuals were not part of the Invasion Day demonstration.

Those arrested were yet to be formally charged.

People march past Parliament House during the Sovereignty Day Rally in Canberra on Sunday 26 January 2025. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Thousands of people took part in a demonstration at Belmore Park in Sydney.

The annual protest march across Sydney's CBD closed down streets and hundreds more joined the rally as it moved on from Belmore Park.

Road closures were set up earlier in the day to prepare for the flood of people taking to the streets.

In Melbourne, police blocked off large parts of Spring Street as the crowd swelled to tens of thousands by lunchtime.

People brought along signs declaring "Pay the rent" and "I live on stolen land".

Some were chanting "too many coppers, not enough justice" as a police helicopter circled above the crowds in Melbourne.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) are arrested as they hold in the East2 Parklands a counter protest on North Terrace on January 26, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, is the official national day of Australia and is celebrated annually on January 26 to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788. Many indigenous Australians refer to the day as 'Invasion Day' and there is a small but growi

Indigenous elder and historian Uncle Gary Foley addressed the crowd in Melbourne and told them "today is the day we remind the Commonwealth we are still here".

Earlier in Adelaide, crowds gathered for the Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony at Elder Park.

In Canberra, a few hundred protesters gathered outside Parliament House.

Some held megaphones and chanted as people marched near the Parliament House forecourt.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Members of the National Socialist Network (NSN) are arrested as they hold in the East2 Parklands a counter protest on North Terrace on January 26, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, is the official national day of Australia and is celebrated annually on January 26 to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788. Many indigenous Australians refer to the day as 'Invasion Day' and there is a small but growi

Signs read "No pride in genocide", "always was, always will be" and "sovereignty never ceded" as the marchers headed down Kings Avenue in Canberra.

Sydneysiders attended the WugulOra ceremony in Barangaroo Reserve from 7.30am, which is hosted by the NSW government.

The events featured smoking ceremonies, which offer "cleansing and healing" for First Nations people.

Rallies were also being held across Queensland in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and in Cairns.

The 30-degree heat didn't stop large crowds of protesters heading into Brisbane's CBD for an Invasion Day protest.

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Invasion Day march in brisbaneInvasion Day protests in Canberra

There were "Survival Day" events in Adelaide and in Mt Barker, while Perth Indigenous communities were set to gather for the "Sovereignty Day" protest at midday AWST.

A "we won't celebrate Invasion Day" march was planned in Hobart for 11.30am.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra started leading the Sovereignty Day rally at 9.30am.

In the Northern Territory, the Justice Not Jails: Survival Day Picnic started at 10.30am local time.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Crowds during the 2025 Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on January 26, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, is the official national day of Australia and is celebrated annually on January 26 to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788. Many indigenous Australians refer to the day as 'Invasion Day' and there is a small but growing movement to change the date amid broADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: People attend the 2025 Mourning in the Morning Smoking Ceremony at Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama on January 26, 2025 in Adelaide, Australia. Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, is the official national day of Australia and is celebrated annually on January 26 to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788. Many indigenous Australians refer to the day as 'Invasion Day' and there is a small but growing movement to change the date amid bro

There are Indigenous events and celebrations happening in every capital city.

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