Pro-Palestinian, Invasion Day Protestors Join Forces For Weekend of Rallies

Palestinian men join in solidarity with Aboriginal people during the Invasion Day Rally in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 26, 2024. Tamati Smith/Getty Images

Pro-Palestine activists and anti-Australia Day protestors will join forces to converge on Melbourne for an “Invasion Day” rally on Jan. 26.

In response, Victorian Police are planning a massive presence ahead of protests that could draw up to 30,000 people.

The situation comes as Australian authorities grapple with an ongoing spate of major antisemitic incidents across Sydney and Melbourne.

A Victorian Police spokesperson told The Epoch Times they have been planning for Australia Day and associated events. 

“We’re well prepared for all major events and will have a highly visible presence throughout the entire CBD to ensure they can occur safely,” a statement said.

“General duties police will be supported by the Mounted Branch, Highway Patrol, Bike Patrol Unit, Public Order Response Team, Transit police, and PSOs throughout the day and night.

“There will be a number of traffic management points in place across the city, so we ask that people be patient, plan their journey and allow extra travel time.”

Australia Day is an official national day, which commemorates the landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the official beginning of European colonisation of the continent.

The day has been the subject of contention with activist groups arguing the date should be changed or cancelled amid concerns of dispossession of Indigenous Australians.

Free Palestine Melbourne said it would be showing up to support the “rightful owners of this continent.”

“Always was, always will be aboriginal land,” the group claimed on Facebook.

Victorian Premier Supports Right to Peaceful Protest

Victorian Labor Premier Jacinta Allan expressed support for the right to peaceful protest, but said some behaviours were testing the public.

Allan was speaking from Werribee, where a by-election will be held on Feb. 8 following the resignation of former Treasurer Tim Pallas.

“I think many Victorians support that fundamental principle of the right to protest, but the right to protest peacefully. What is testing the public’s patience is this behaviour at particular locations and a particular set of behaviour by some protesters,” she told reporters.

Allan said it was important to remember that Australia Day for some was a “difficult day,” but said respect also goes both ways.

“We’ve got to make sure that for those who want to acknowledge the day in their own way, have the space to do that, and also those who want to go and participate at Australia Day events also have the opportunity to do so,” she said.

Alternative Event Planned to Celebrate

Meanwhile, the Celebrate Australia group will hold its own parade from Port Melbourne to the affluent suburbs of St. Kilda.

Victoria’s United Australia Senator Ralph Babet wrote on X, “Victorian Labor has cancelled the Australia Day parade permanently amid claims that the day is ‘not a day to celebrate.' But the people have spoken and have organised their own." 

In 2021, the Andrews Labor government cancelled its official Australia Day parade down Swanston Street in Melbourne’s CBD.

However, the Victorian government is planning multiple events on the day, including an open day at Government House, 21-gun salute at the Shrine of Remembrance, and family activities at Federation Square.

Margaret Gardner, governor of Victoria, took to Facebook to post a message conveying solidarity.

“As we mark Australia Day this Sunday, let us remember that we are all part of the story of Australia. No matter where we come from, what we do or who we are–we are active participants in writing the next chapters of this story,” the governor said on Facebook.

“We wish all Victorians a safe and enjoyable Australia Day long weekend, however you choose to mark it.

Opposition Backs National Day

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, campaigning in New South Wales, reiterated his strong support for Australia Day in a press conference on Jan. 23.

“What other country, what other Western civilisation, abandons its national day? We shouldn’t, and Australia Day should be a great celebration of an amazing country,” he told reporters.

“We live in the best country in the world. We should celebrate our history. We should be incredibly proud of our Indigenous history, proud of our European heritage, and proud of the great migrant story.”