Invasion Day
Vertigo acknowledges the First Nations peoples of this land. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and future, and stand with them in their call for reconciliation. Vertigo acknowledges that sovereignty in Australia was never ceded.
This Friday the 26th of January, Australians across the country will join in on marches and ceremonies to show their solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Marking the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia, the 26th of January is nationally known as Australia Day, but has since been coined Invasion Day or Survival Day amongst First Nations peoples and their allies. It is not a day of celebration. January 26th is a day for mourning and protesting against the oppression endured by First Nations communities, and for acknowledging the atrocities of our colonial history.
After this year’s failed referendum and the ongoing calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, this year’s events will honour both Australia’s First Nations and Palestinian communities. This year, Invasion Day will hold a space for all people facing dispossession and will call for an end to occupation everywhere.
Vertigo stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and we reject January 26th as a day of national celebration. We also stand by the Palestinian community and call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli occupation.
This article is a guide for today’s settlers living on stolen Gadigal Land, who want to be a part of the change for the future of tomorrow. A guide for those who wish to show their solidarity with First Nations and Palestinian communities alike, at tomorrow’s protests and ceremonies across Sydney.
Invasion Day Rally:
A public protest march starting at Belmore park in Sydney’s Haymarket at 10AM and moving towards Victoria Park in Camperdown. The protest is organised by Blak Caucus.
When: 10AM
Where: Belmore Park, Haymarket
Dawn reflection, Sydney Opera House:
At 5:20 am on the morning of January 26th, the Sydney Opera House will be lit with projections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drawings.
When: 5:20AM
Where: Sydney Opera House
WugulOra Morning Ceremony:
WugulOra (Meaning ‘One Mob’) will hold a ceremony at Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve, showing special performances by First Nations dancers and singers. It will be free of charge and anyone is welcome to attend.
When: 7:30-8:30AM
Where: Walumil Lawns Barangaroo Reserve
UTS Student Contingent Invasion Day Protest 2024:
Organised by the UTS Students Association, the UTSSA calls on all UTS students to join the public march hosted by Blak Caucus at Belmore Park, to represent the UTS community's solidarity with Palestinian and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Meeting Point: Alumni Green
When: 9AM, Friday January 26th
Leaving time for Belmore Park: 9:30AM
Clothing: Black/Dark clothing
Yabun Festival:
A public and free festival working under the slogan ‘Surviving, Guiding, Thriving’. Taking place 10AM-6PM at Victoria Park in Camperdown.
When: 10AM-6PM
Where: Victoria Park, Camperdown