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ansible

(1,718 posts) Sat Jan 26, 2019, 01:42 AM Jan 2019

Huge crowds gather to protest and call to abolish Australia day in marches across cities

Had no idea this was such a serious issue there.

Thousands of protesters have gathered around the country, calling for changes to the way the nation marks Australia Day. January 26 marks the anniversary of Captain Arthur Philip arriving with the First Fleet in Port Jackson, New South Wales, a date now seen by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day". Those at Saturday's rallies said the day marks the theft and dispossession of Indigenous people, and should not be celebrated.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-26/australia-day-protests-draw-thousands-calling-for-date-change/10752882

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Huge crowds gather to protest and call to abolish Australia day in marches across cities (Original Post) ansible Jan 2019 OP

This issue has really gathered pace over the years Thyla Jan 2019 #1

very impressive since they are in the middle of a gigantic heat wave dsc Jan 2019 #2

Thyla

(791 posts)

1. This issue has really gathered pace over the years

Reply to ansible (Original post)

Sat Jan 26, 2019, 07:53 AM

Jan 2019

Since I left Oz. It certainly never had the exposure that it is getting now and that is a good thing.
It's definitely a big divider, one of those moments when your friends and family wheel out the old 'I'm not racist but' line.

Still as far as I see it you don't have to use too much brain power to realise in retrospect the Jan 26th date was probably a poor choice. The date has changed before so saying you can't change it is a poor excuse and frankly if you have any number of Australians feeling that they can't be involved in such a celebration then perhaps it's time to stop and listen to them and strongly consider some solutions to change the situation.

I'm not sure what the answers are, changing the date will lead to a serious voter mutiny and that's if things go well but I'd back it.
And one thing is for sure we damn well need a Treaty, needed it for a bloody long time too. I wonder if it would be possible to sign such an historic document on Jan 26th and keep all parties happy, unlikely but just get the thing done already.

dsc

(52,162 posts)

2. very impressive since they are in the middle of a gigantic heat wave

Reply to ansible (Original post)

Sat Jan 26, 2019, 08:02 AM

Jan 2019

it is 117 degrees in some places.

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