Violence has erupted on the streets of Sydney where thousands of people marched in protest of Australia Day, when a protester allegedly ignited a flag within the crowd.
Video filmed in Ultimo by Buzzfeed reporter Allan Clarke shows protesters clashing with police just after 1pm today.
The Sydney Invasion Day rally just turned violent. pic.twitter.com/F66rQIJ292
— Allan Clarke (@AllanJClarke) January 26, 2017
Police and protesters pushed each other, some falling to the ground, before officers formed a line in front of the crowd.
One officer and one protester were injured.
A 20-year-old man was arrested and taken to Redfern Police Station.
Police say the brief struggle was an “isolated incident in an otherwise peaceful demonstration” and they were overall pleased with the behaviour of the crowd.
Violence erupted in Sydney during the ‘Invasion Day’ march. (Allan Clarke/ Buzzfeed)
Andy Mason, who took part in the protest, told 9news.com.au an activist who had given a “rousing speech about police violence and deaths in custody” had begun to burn an Australian flag.
“(Police) immediately pounced, knocked heaps of people over, sprayed fire extinguishers.”
Police also confiscated the lighter fluid.
The protesters had marched from Redfern to Victoria Park, to denounce the celebration of Australia Day, which many call “Invasion Day” or “Survival Day”.
The protesters, many draped in Aboriginal flags, heard speeches labelling the arrival of the First Fleet on January 26, 1788 as a “day of killing” rather than the birth of a nation.
“It is a national disgrace to have a holiday on Australia Day – a day which marked the beginning of genocide”, organiser Dave Bell told the crowd.
Protesters marching in Canberra. (AAP)
In Canberra, protesters gathered at the entrance of Parliament House to call for an Aboriginal Treaty.
“Always was, always will be Aboriginal land,” they yelled after walking from the Aboriginal tent embassy.
“What do we want? Treaty. What have we got? F— all,” the protesters chanted as they marched up the hill from the tent embassy.
Protester Les Coe urged the crowd to reject proposals for constitutional recognition and push for a treaty instead.
The protesters sat down at the front doors of parliament, where police formed a guard, blocking the entrance to the building.
Canberra woman Claire Boyer, 24, who has no indigenous heritage, believes the date of Australia Day should be changed.
“The history of genocide of Aboriginal people – we’re not going to celebrate that,” she said.
Ms Boyer said politicians insisting Australia Day should remain on January 26 were ignorant.
“Hear the call for change, hear the reasons behind that.
“That hurt is a very personal thing and the main thing that needs to change first is that white Australia needs to listen.”
The Referendum Council appointed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in 2015 has begun community consultation on constitutional recognition, with a final report due later this year.
Protesters in Melbourne. (AAP)
In Melbourne, thousands of protesters marched in the CBD at Flinders Street station, waving Aboriginal flags.
About 3000 people gathered at Parliament House before the crowd swelled, gathering numbers as it moved to the official Australia Day parade route that had finished half an hour earlier.
One protester in Melbourne said celebrating Australia day on January 26 is like celebrating September 11.
“We don’t celebrate September 11, we don’t celebrate Hiroshima – it’s pretty stupid to celebrate today,” Michael Polanske told AAP.
Protesters in Brisbane. (AAP)
In Brisbane, hundreds gathered outside Parliament House for the annual Invasion Day march.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were joined by those from a variety of cultures to oppose the celebration of January 26 as Australia’s national day.
Members of the local Aboriginal community used the opening address to voice their grievances about several issues, including the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, deaths in custody and education.
Charles Hegarty, an Aboriginal man who has lived in Brisbane his whole life, said he and his family had attended as a show of support for “our people”.
“Hopefully something comes out of it,” he said.
“We need to get our own land back, where we came from.”
The Invasion Day march has taken place every Australia Day in Brisbane since 1970.
The theme for 2017 was resist, revive, decolonise.
With AAP.
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2017
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/01/26/14/20/violence-erupts-in-sydney-during-invasion-day-protests#PdkOPUQtwbejMkVx.99
