Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Australia on Friday to protest the country's national holiday, which marks the anniversary of British settlement in 1788. Protesters are demanding the date of "Australia Day" be changed and for the holiday to become a day of mourning for indigenous peoples instead.
Crowds rallied in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane accusing the holiday of celebrating the start of discrimination and land seizures from native Aboriginal tribes. Protesters chanted for the holiday to be moved from January 26th - the date a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts arrived at present-day Sydney.
Many activists see that as the day British colonization and subsequent oppression of indigenous Australians began. There are calls for a new national holiday or a formal day of remembrance for victims. The holiday remains polarizing, with major Australian sports teams and brands dropping "Australia Day" from promotions.
Tensions were further inflamed after voters overwhelmingly rejected a referendum last October to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body in parliament within the constitution. It was seen as a symbolic gesture towards Aboriginal rights.
The protests capped a week where two monuments linked to Australia's colonial history were vandalized in Melbourne. But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese maintained January 26th was still a day for all Australians to "pause and reflect" on the country's achievements. Indigenous Australians make up about 4% of the population.