Thousands protest Australia Day legacy


  • World
  • Saturday, 26 Jan 2019

A man holds up a placard during a demonstration on Australia Day in Sydney, January 26, 2019. REUTERS/Stefica Nicol Bikes

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people rallied across Australia on Saturday calling for the abolition of the Jan. 26 national holiday in protests showing a deep division over a festivity intended to celebrate the birth of modern Australia.

While Australia Day marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the "First Fleet" of British ships at Sydney Cove, many indigenous Australians, who trace their lineage on the continent back 50,000 years, regard it as "Invasion Day".

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
   

Next In World

Wife of 'abducted' Ugandan opposition figure says he won't get justice
Britain imposes biggest sanctions package on Russian 'shadow fleet', says Lammy
Russia's army bigger than two years ago but quality has decreased, says NATO official
Greece recovers bodies of eight migrants off Samos island
Georgian ruling party defies protests, boycott to re-open parliament after disputed election
Satellite images suggest North Korea expanding missile plant, researchers say
Explainer-What is the state of Bolsonaro's legal trouble in Brazil?
Analysis-Bolsonaro sidelined from Brazil's political scene as Trump enjoys resurgence
Cargo plane crashes and skids into a house in Lithuania, killing at least one
French prosecutors seek 20-year sentence for Pelicot who organised wife's mass rape

Others Also Read