Culture

Where Invasion Day Rallies And Day Of Mourning Events Are Happening In 2021

Black lives matter, and this always was and always will be Aboriginal lands.

by Merryana Salem  21 January 2021
invasion-day-rallies

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The 26th of January is almost upon us and for Aboriginal peoples, Invasion Day is not a day of celebration, but a day of mourning and commemoration of survival.

2021 marks 251 years since James Cook landed on the lands of the Eora peoples, and the Europeans’ colonisation and attempted genocide of Aboriginal peoples began.  Whether you’re a settler or First Nations, the 26th of January is a day to stand in solidarity and in mourning with the Aboriginal peoples whose stolen lands we all live on. It is a day to learn, to survive, to stand up, and most importantly, to listen.

Please remember all the events listed are being held according to strict COVID-19 safety guidelines. All the event organisers request that all attendees to wear a mask, bring hand sanitiser, and practice social distancing where possible. Most importantly, please do not attend if you or someone you know has been sick in the last few weeks.

Unable to attend any Invasion Day rallies, protests, or events? No worries! There are plenty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations you can donate to. Or check out NITV’s coverage of Invasion Day rallies, and keep up with Indigenous perspectives throughout the day.

Finally, these protests are planned peaceful protests, with many accommodating for families. If you are intending to attend, do so safely and peacefully for yourself and those around you. Links are provided to Facebook events, and flyers with more detailed information.

Invasion Day Rallies:

Yuggera Land / Meanjin – (BRISBANE) – Gather on Elizabeth St, at Queen’s Gardens from 10AM. 

Ngunnawal Country – (CANBERRA) – Gather at Garema Place, 10AM.

Naarm – (MELBOURNE) – Meet at Parliament House, Spring St, at 1030AM. Current COVID-19 rules for Melbourne state that people can gather outside in groups of up to 100 people. Please, organise in groups of no more than 100, and maintain a 10m distance from other groups.

Kaurna Country – (ADELAIDE) – Gather in Victoria Square from 11:30 AM.

Eora Lands – (SYDNEY) – Gather at Djarrbarrgalli, the Domain from 9 AM. In Sydney, protests are capped at 500 people due to COVID-19. Please be mindful of these restrictions and practice social distancing.

Larrakia Country – (DARWIN) – Gather at Civic Park in Darwin City from 10 AM.

Dharumbal Country – (ROCKHAMPTON) – Gather at Central Park, Southside from 9AM.

Muwinina Country – (HOBART) – There are two gatherings. One at Hobart Parliament House, and the other at Davenport Bluffs, near the surf life-saving club. Both begin from 12PM.

Mparntwe Country – (ALICE SPRINGS) – Gather at the Court Lawns from 10AM.

Whajuk Country – (PERTH) – Gather at Forrest Place from 1PM.

Awabakal Country – (NEWCASTLE) – Gather at Civic Park from 10AM.

Other Events:

Kulin Nation – (MELBOURNE) – Day of Mourning Dawn Service – Kings Domain Resting Place, 5AM.

Yuin Nation – (BARRAGGA BAY) – Survival Day event, 2021 at Four Winds from 11 AM.

Yuggera Country (BRISBANE) – Flag raising event at Musgrave Park from 8AM.

Kaurna Country – (ADELAIDE) – Survival Day 2021 Concert by Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. The event has sold out, but limited tickets are available at the door.

Wadawurrung Country – (BALLARAT) – Day of Mourning Dawn Service at 5:30 AM, Victorian time (this event is live-streamed).

Yabun Festival – YABUN is going to be hosted online this year, streamed on the Yabun Festival website and Koori Radio 93.7FM from 11am on the 26th.

Thank you to Tom Tanuki’s Survival Day event thread on Twitter, and also TikTok user, asmallrash, for their Invasion Day Event list video. Both were invaluable resources making this list, as many events were hidden on social media and difficult to find.

Please, take every precaution to have a safe January 26th, and remember that this land always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

Junkee reached out to organisers of these events for comment.  

Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out her podcast, GayV Club where she gushes about LGBT rep in media with her best friend. Either way, she hopes you ate something nice today.