Protest, resistance, solidarity: January 26 around the country

Thousands of people across the nation have gathered in parks and marched in city streets to celebrate the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Thousands gathered in cities across the country, including in Naarm Melbourne, demanding action of issues of Indigenous justice, and a change to the national holiday's date. Source: AAP / DIEGO FEDELE/AAPIMAGE

Across the nation people gathered to acknowledge January 26, some acknowledging it as Survival or Invasion Day and others, Australia Day.

Events began at dawn. With marches and rallies, ceremonies, cultural celebrations, and concerts, here's what happened in the major cities this January 26.

Warrang Sydney - Gadigal Land

The sails of the Sydney Opera House are illuminated with an artwork by Aboriginal digital artist Brett Leavy, that represents and celebrates Aboriginal history, culture and people as part of Dawn Reflection on Australia Day in Sydney. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrecht/AAP Image

As dawn broke on Sydney Harbour, the sails of the Opera House were lit with the faces of Aboriginal people.

It's a design by Kooma man Brett Leavy, projected to mark the beginning of January 26.

At 7:30, at Barangaroo Reserve WugulOra Morning Ceremony, meaning One Mob, began.

Crowds were Welcomed to Gadigal Land by Metro Aboriginal Land Council Deputy Chair Yvonne Weldon before Muggera Dancers did a smoking ceremony and performed dance and song.

The Muggera dancers perform during the WugulOra Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve in Sydney. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrecht/AAP Image

The Invasion Day rally began at 9am at Belmore Park in the CBD, with many speakers taking to the mic including Wiradjuri and Badu Island woman Lynda June-Coe.

"[This was] a sophisticated, calculated genocide, in that the structures of Australia inherently perpetrate and inflict violence and harm against our communities and they do it under neo-liberalism," she said.

Protestors were calling for things like Land Back, an end to Black Deaths in Custody and Treaty.

Amongst the Aboriginal flags were Palestinian flags, with the crowd pushing a strong message of solidarity.

The crowd then walked through the city, meeting at a standstill at Central Station with more people taking the microphone.

At Victoria Park, the annual Yabun Festival began, this year's theme being 'Surviving, Guiding, Thriving'.

Hundreds moved into the park despite the searing heat, browsing stalls of Aboriginal businesses, government agencies and Aboriginal organisations.

Amongst them was the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Linda Burney.

"It is a complex day, to be together, to celebrate survival, to recognise that there are millions of Australians who support the Aboriginal cause, and to celebrate the wonderful multicultural nature of Australia, with a foundation older than any other," she said.

As per the theme, she said that "after the defeat of the referendum" they were "words of inspiration, they are words of keep going and they are great."

Garramilla Darwin - Larrakia Land

Larrakia Nation Dancers prepare to perform at a Welcome to Country in Garramilla (Darwin). Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke

Up north, on Larrakia Country, crowds gathered at Garramilla/Darwin waterfront for a smoking ceremony and dances by Larrakia Dancers and Rirratjingu Dancers from North East Arnhem Land.

Larrakia and Tiwi woman and CEO of Uprising of the People, organisers of the rally said the message of today is Land Back.

"When we talk about caring or protecting Country what we mean is thought out intricate management of Country that has been led by Indigenous people for millennia," she said.

"And so when we talk about Land Back, we are talking about Indigenous people having ownership over our land, which then leaves us having ownership over how we determine our lives with our children, with their schooling, with their education and access to language.

"But it all starts with the handing back of Country."

Meanjin Brisbane - Yuggera and Turrbal Land

Meanjin (Brisbane) rally calls for 'land back'. Credit: NITV: Dan Rennie

Thousands marched through Meanjin, convening on Queens Gardens at 9am before moving through the city to Musgrave Park.

Familiar cries of 'Always was, always will be' rang out through the streets, as protestors waved Aboriginal flags.

Demonstrators rallied in Lions Park outside the Gabba Stadium on Friday before the second day's play began.

Two demonstrators were handcuffed and detained by police, with the stadium going into a temporary lockdown after protesters entered the venue.

Tarndanyangga Adelaide - Kaurna Land

Uncle Moogy Sumner, Kaurna Elder, at Adelaide's Mourning in the Morning event. Credit: NITV: Marcellus Enalanga

Crowds gathered at Victoria Square in Tarndanyangga, and like other capital cities, the protest saw thousands turn out.

South Australia is rapidly moving ahead with its state-based Voice to Parliament model, and speakers encouraged attendees to get behind the body.

Another controversial topic was the Riverlea development, an enormous property project which has resulted in the moving of ancestral remains.

Organisers said they were pleased with the turnout.

Naarm Melbourne - Kulin Nation

Protest crowd gathering outside of Naarm's Parliament House. Credit: Cameron Gooley/NITV

The January 26 protest in Naarm Melbourne is usually one of the continent's biggest, and this year was no different.

Demonstrators in Melbourne descended on state parliament on Friday morning before marching to Flinders Street Station and staging a sit-in, shutting down city roads and tram lines over the four hour protest.

A large sign moving at the head of the march proclaimed 'Grandmothers against removals', and protestors yelled slogans in support of First Nations justice.

Cheers echoed as a "eulogy" for Australia Day was read out and a speaker celebrated the toppling of a statue of Captain Cook, which was cut off at the feet and graffitied in St Kilda on Thursday.

nippaluna Hobart - lutruwita

Protestors in nippaluna Hobart demanded change while marching through the main streets of the city.

Attendance at Hobart's rally was expected to surpass 2023 numbers as organisers demanded the national day celebrations cease or move to a new date.

In the end a record number turned out, arriving after a march through the city chanting and waving flags and placards.

"January 26 has become the one day of the year that completely divides the nation," Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell said.

Solidarity with Palestinian people was also on display, with speaker Dr Adel Yousif drawing attention to the ongoing conflict.

Boorloo Perth - Whadjuk Noongar

Protestors gathered in Boorloo Perth.

Greens Senator Dorinda Cox officiated a sombre start to proceedings in Western Australia.

Leading a Day of Mourning ceremony to "acknowledge the past", the Yamatji Noongar woman and others gathered at Victoria Gardens Foreshore in Boorloo Perth.

Thousands then marched through the streets from 1:30pm after meeting at Forrest Chase.

Their demands included implementing the recommendations from the Bringing them Home report, more protection for sacred sites, and an end to the violence in Gaza.