Huge Invasion Day crowd rallies at Parliament House

Hundreds of protesters at Parliament House on Tuesday morning. Picture: Andrew Thorpe

A huge crowd of Canberrans has descended on Parliament House to protest Australia's dispossession and mistreatment of Aboriginal people.

Protesters first gathered at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on Tuesday morning before making the march up the hill to Parliament House.

The crowd chanted slogans, such as "always was, always will be, Aboriginal land", as local elders spoke of why January 26 was a day of mourning for Indigenous people along with the injustices still faced more than two centuries later.

One of the speakers, Justine Brown, who's been attending the event for about 27 years said she was sick of little change being made.

Ms Brown told The Canberra Times it was heartening to see so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people show up for the rally but much still needed to be done.

"It's one step at a time," Ms Brown said.

"We need to get more leaders up in our Parliament representing us, actual grassroots leaders.

"People who have lived in our communities, experienced the struggles that we have struggled with and are able to advocate on a level that is going to affect the whole of Australia."

Justine Brown (left) was proud to march on her country but spoke of the frustration of slow change after 27 years of attending the protests. Picture: Sarah Basford Canales

Australian Federal Police maintained a strong presence at the event but the crowd remained peaceful and no incidents were recorded. A spokesperson said the police were "very happy" with the way the community conducted the event.

Canberra's turnout might seem small when compared to the bigger cities but it's pretty impressive for a population of just 400k. #InvasionDaypic.twitter.com/Ljv43ZygWX

— sarah basford canales (@sbasfordcanales) January 26, 2021

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to budge on calls to change the date and said there was no escaping the fact January 26 marks the date Australia changed forever.

The Prime Minister argued that is exactly why Australia Day should be held on the date each year.

Protesters marching toward Parliament House on Tuesday morning. Picture: Sarah Basford Canales

"We do it on this day when the course of this land changed forever," he said in Canberra on Tuesday.

"There is no escaping or cancelling that fact, for better or worse."

pic.twitter.com/jBpagbRYhn

— Jarra (@jarrajosh) January 26, 2021

• with AAP
  

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