This weekend will see a number of protests and vigils across major cities in Australia, in solidarity with protests in the United States following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis.
Many of the actions will also centre around Australia’s own history of violence against Black and First Nations people – there have been over 430 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991,
Here’s a list of actions taking place across the country this weekend being led by Indigenous organisers. Show up, listen respectfully, and observe social distancing practices (remember to stay 1.5m from one another, and bring a face mask and sanitiser if you can).
Sydney
A vigil will take place between 3-5PM on Saturday, 6th June, starting at Sydney Town Hall before marching to Belmore Park where the vigil will be held. It’s being organised by Indigenous Social Justice Asosciation (ISJA), Anticolonial Asian Alliance (AAA) and USYD Autonomous Collective Against Racism. The event is a vigil for George Floyd as well as David Dungay, a Dunghutti man who was murdered by correctional officers in his cell at Long Bay Jail in 2015. The event will be livestreamed over Facebook and Zoom, with links posted in the event on the day.
Melbourne
A rally calling for an end to black deaths in custody and to stand in solidarity with George Floyd is occurring on Parliament House steps this Saturday (6th June) from 2PM-5PM. This event has been organised by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR). The event is to protest Black deaths in Australian custody, as well as to stand in solidarity with the Minneapolis freedom fighters.
Brisbane
Brisbane will play host to the ‘Black Lives Matter – Stop Black Deaths in Custody Meanjin’ protest taking place at King George Square from 1pm – 5pm on Saturday, 6th June. This event was also organised by WAR. This protest follows another one that was held in Brisbane’s Musgraves Park on the night of Wednesday, 3rd June.
Newcastle
Newcastle will host a ‘Stop Black Deaths in Custody – Justice For George Floyd #BLM‘ protest on Saturday, 6th June from 2pm – 5pm at Pacific Park. The march will begin there and end at Civic Park. This event was put together by Fighting In Solidarity Towards Treaties (FISTT).
Wollongong
Held by NUS Against Racism, there will be a ‘Stand With Minneapolis’ protest happening in Wollongong on Sunday, 7th June from 2pm – 5pm. The protest is taking place at Crown St Mall Ampitheatre.
Canberra
Canberra will hold a Black Lives Matter protest on Friday, 5th June. The march begins at 10:30am at Civic’s Garema Place and will then proceed to Parliament House, in an effort to protest the country’s treatment of First Nations people in custody.
Adelaide
In solidarity with George Floyd and the protesters in Minneapolis, there will be a protest happening in Tarntanyangga, Victoria Square in Adelaide on Saturday, 6th June from midday. This event will be hosted by the Adelaide Campaign Against Racism and Fascism as well as Sosblakaustralia.
Music Feeds stands in solidarity with those working tirelessly to demand change, justice and an end to systematic racism and police brutality. Both overseas and here at home. #BlackLivesMatter
Below is a list of places advocating for said change that we hope you can learn more about, and to donate to if you’re able.
Donate to the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT
Donate to the Justice fund for David Dungay Junior, an Indigenous man who died in police custody
Donate to Free Her, a campaign to raise funds for incarcerated Indigenous women jailed for unpaid fines
Sign the Justice For George Floyd petition
Donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund and help post bail for protestors in the US
To learn more about or support the Black Lives Matter movement — head here
To learn more about or support equality & justice for First Nations people here in Australia, you can visit Change The Record or Reconciliation.org.au
