Thousands of Australians defy virus rules to protest 'Invasion Day'

Thousands of Australians defied coronavirus rules on Tuesday in Sydney to protest the country's national day, held on the anniversary of British colonisation of the vast continent that its Indigenous population brands "Invasion Day". The gathering remained mostly peaceful despite the crowd breaching Covid-19 public health orders, with organisers deciding to call-off a planned march. But a smaller group of protesters marched to a nearby park and at least three people were arrested by police after being ordered to disperse. Officially recognised as Australia Day, January 26 also sees annual rallies drawing attention to the injustices faced by Indigenous people and calling on the government to change the date of the national holiday. The rally also heard from speakers including Leetona Dungay, the mother of David Dungay who died while being restrained by prison guards in 2015.