Politics

All The Invasion Day Protests Happening Around Australia

Protests are taking place across Australia to commemorate Invasion Day 2020.

Invasion Day Australia Day 2018

Want more Junkee in your life? Sign up to our newsletter, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook so you always know where to find us.

While a huge portion of Australia celebrates Australia Day, a large number will remember Invasion (or Survival) Day as the anniversary of a day that had brutal consequences for our First Nations people.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s first voyage to Australia. Eighteen years later, on January 26 1788, the First Fleet landed at Sydney’s Port Jackson on the land of the Eora nation.

That kicked off decades of violence, massacres, theft, and discrimination which has left behind a legacy of inequality and trauma. For the past 82 years January 26 has been a Day of Mourning for Indigenous Australians — a great deal longer than it’s been a national holiday for the rest of the country.

Here’s a list of Invasion (or Survival) Day protests taking place across the country.

Protests:

Melbourne, Parliament House, 11am – 2pm (Kulin nation)

Sydney, Hyde Park South, 10am (Gadigal land)

Brisbane, Queens Park, 10am (Yuggera country)

Darwin, Civic Park, 11.30am (Larrakia nation)

Hobart, 198 Elizabeth St, 10am (nipaluna land)

Newcastle, Civic Park, 11am (Awabakal land)

Perth, Forest Chase, 12.30pm (Whadjuk country)

Other events:

Fremantle

One Day In Fremantle, Kidogo Arthouse Precinct, from 8am on January 25

Adelaide 

Survival Day festival, Tandanya National Aboriginal and Cultural Institute, 1pm – 6pm

Bermagui 

Survival Day Festival, Dickinson Oval, 1pm

Melbourne

Dawn Service, Kings Domain Resting Place, 5.30am

Sydney

Yabun Festival, Victoria Park, Camperdown, 10am

Cooee Festival, Regatta Park, Emu Plains, 4pm

Townsville

Survival Day concert, Perfume Gardens Park, 11am


If we’ve missed any events please let us know by emailing [email protected].