January 26 is not a day celebrate. It marks the date that the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove, emboldened by the lie of terra nullius, willfully denying the existence of 60,000 years of rich culture, history and tradition. Sovereignty was never ceded.

For First Nations Australians, Invasion Day – or Survival Day and the Day of Mourning, as it's also known – is a painful reminder of dispossession, violence, and the colonising forces that existed back then and still do to this day. As Australians living on stolen land, it is our duty to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to reckon with our past, and to push to abolish the date.

When you drink your beers and bust out your barbies it echoes the violence committed against First Nations Australians since those first European settlers arrived, it reeks of contempt. And for what? A so-called tradition that only began in 1994? As Common Ground reminds us, First Nations Australians have been protesting on January 26 long before it was known as "Australia Day", and as early as 1888.

In light of the defeated Voice to Parliament referendum, if we've learned anything it's that the onus is on white and settler Australians to show up, speak out, and clear the path for justice. Below, find a list of all the rallies, vigils and marches taking place across the country on Invasion Day in 2024. Always was, always will be.

 

When and where are the 2024 Invasion Day rallies?

Sydney (Warrang)

Friday, January 26 at 10am at Belmore Park.

After marching, you can make your way over to Yabun Festival in Victoria Park. Taking place from 10am through to 6pm, the event is Australia's largest one-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, survival and resistance.

Later, in the evening We Are Warriors and Powerhouse present the second Blak Powerhouse, a First Nations community-led event on January 26, featuring Maanyung, Mi-kaisha, Rona, Miss Kaninna, Becca Hatch, 3%, JK-47 and surprise special guests, along with a panel discussion on Blak Power and Excellence.

 

Brisbane (Meanjin)

Friday, January 26 from 9am at Queens Gardens.

 

Newcastle (Mulubinba)

Friday, January 26 from 9:30am at Customs House.

 

Melbourne (Naarm)

Friday, January 26 at 10am in front of Parliament House of Victoria.

 

Canberra (Ngunnawal and Ngambri)

Friday, January 26 from 9:30am at Garema Place.

 

Adelaide (Tarndanya)

Friday, January 26 from 11am at Victoria Square.

From 7-8am, join Uncle Moogy Sumner in a cleansing Smoking Ceremony at Elder Park.

 

Hobart (Nipaluna)

Friday, January 26 from 11.15am at Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.

 

Perth (Boorloo)

Friday, January 26 from 12:30pm at Forest Place.

 

Alice Springs (Mparntwe)

Arrernte Nation Survival Day gathering, from 6pm-8pm at Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

 

Darwin (Garramilla)

Friday, January 26 from 10 am at Civic Park.

At 7:45am on Darwin Waterfront lagoon, the Larrakia people will hold a smoking ceremony with storytelling and performances.

 

Image: @jordzy.ellis