THOUSANDS took part in a ‘Invasion Day’ march in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday, to draw attention to the plight of Australia’s Aboriginal people in the wake of European colonisation.

On the same day across the nation, ‘Australia Day’ is celebrated, with many in Australian society calling for a date-change, since the event marks the anniversary of the arrival in 1788 of British government ships to Australian shores.

Invasion Day protesters waved the black, red and yellow of the Australian Aboriginal flag and chanted slogans such as “always was, always will be, Aboriginal land” as they marched through Melbourne’s CBD.

“It’s our land and they should listen to us instead of listening to everybody else. We need our land and everything back and our rights to change the date,” said Shirely, an Aboriginal Elder.

An apparent counter-protester was detained by police after engaging in verbal confrontations with the marchers. He was seen wearing a t-shirt featuring the slogans ‘Proud Boys’ and ‘F**ck Antifa.’ ‘

Australia Day’ is held to mark the anniversary of the British First Fleet’s 1788 arrival in Port Jackson, New South Wales, a date many Aboriginal people consider to be the start of the European colonisation of Australia.

PATRIOTS COME OUT

Around 500 people gathered in Queen Victoria Garden in Melbourne on Tuesday for the so-called ‘People’s Australia Day Parade’.

The gathering was called by Melbourne Freedom Rally initiative, responsible for last year’s anti-lockdown rallies.

Several of the protesters were seen wearing yellow and black t-shirts emblazoned with the words ‘Proud Boys,’ in apparent reference to the right-wing US group.

The protest took place peacefully and no arrests were reportedly made.