Invasion Day 2025: ‘Genocide is no reason to celebrate’

January 27, 2025

Issue

Marching on Invasion Day in Gadigal Country/Sydney, January 26. Photo: Peter Boyle

Tens of thousands of people protested around the country on for justice and rights. �鶹��ý at the protests on Gadigal Country/Sydney and in��Naarm/Melbourne about why they had come.

“I’m here to march on behalf of my Nan’s family. They were part of the assimilation policy and the Stolen Generations. I’m here as a descendant of the Barkindji people, who lost all of their culture because of everything since January 26 [1788]. So I’m here to represent them, and fight back.”

“I always come to Invasion Day marches because I’m a proud Aboriginal woman. I’m here with a university group ... It’s very important to get out with mob, especially on days like this.”

“I’ve come to the rally today to support First Nations people. I don’t believe we should be celebrating the day that they were invaded. I don’t think it’s a happy day.”

“I’m here in solidarity, and to listen and learn … and recognise that colonisation continues and we need to do something about it.”

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“I have the privilege to help, and I can’t just stand by and not do anything … I’m angry; I’m upset; I want to speak out; I want to help those who cannot always stand up for themselves.”

“I try to come every year. I think changing the date is such a simple action we should be taking. There are so many deeper issues that will obviously take a lot more work to undo, but changing the date of a public holiday … means nothing to white Australians who celebrate but it means everything for our Indigenous Australians and it’s the least we can do.”

“We want to protest for rights for Aboriginal people, but mostly to change the date: it’s not a date to celebrate. We don’t celebrate genocide. So we are here celebrating our survival — the fact that we are still here and we made it through.”

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‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal land’ among thousands of marchers in Magan-djin/Brisbane. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

NSW Treaty Commissioner Naomi Moran: “I don’t think we have ever stopped fighting, and we never will. It’s so important to continue to show up, not just to bring everyone along with us … but not forget the legacy that has come before us — our warrior men, our strong fierce legacy of Black matriarchy … It’s so important that we continue to have the conversations, continue to walk and march together … for what is right.”

“I don’t celebrate Australia Day to show respect for our First Nations people and to show we do not support genocide in any way.”

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Huge Invasion Day rally in Naarm/Melbourne demands ‘land back’. Photo: Brandon M

“This is not a day to celebrate … The Australian government has not implemented any of the findings from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission. It is imperative we stand in solidarity with FN people in their fight against colonisation which continues … and First Nations justice is tied to justice for all people.”

Socialist Alliance national co-convenor Jacob Andrewartha said: “Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is going on about January 26 being a ‘day of national unity’. But it marks the day the First Fleet arrived. It lauds the attempted genocide of Australia’s First peoples — it is absolutely not a day to celebrate. We need to stand with First Nations peoples who are demanding sovereignty.”