Invasion Day 2021 - Sovereignty Never Ceded - Black Lives Matter
January 26 marks 233 years since British imperialism invaded Gadigal lands to begin a colonial occupation that created Australia.
The Australian nation is founded on the genocide of First Nations. For many generations, January 26 has been a day of resistance and mourning.
We affirm that First Nations sovereignty has never been ceded and oppose ongoing colonial violence and destruction.
The global Black Lives Matter uprising in 2020 has seen the biggest protests for Black rights on this continent in generations.
Despite heavy police repression and an ongoing pandemic, the movement has forced a reckoning with the lethal anti-Black violence that continues built into the foundations of this colony, where First Nations are incarcerated at a higher rate than any other group in the world. We have seen some of the first murder charges laid on police officers, but still no justice.
The destruction of First Nations lands for capitalist profit is escalating despite a global climate emergency that threatens the very basis of life on this planet.
Unlike COVID, the virus of colonial racism can not be defeated by self-isolation or quarantine. We need to come together and fight back.
Gadigal people are inviting us to rally at Djarrbarrgalli, known as the Sydney Domain to mark invasion day 2021. This will be a significant reclamation of a special place where First Nations have gathered since time immemorial.
Aunty Rhonda Grovenor Dixon says:
“There can be no celebrations while the system continues to kill our people and destroy our lands. Our sovereignty has never been ceded. On this platform, we can come together to unite and make 2021 a year when we start to see real change. 2020 has been full of crisis and pain, first with fires, then with the pandemic. Join us at Djarrbarrgali for healing, for resistance, this will be our year”.
This will be a COVID safe event, with strict safety protocols. We request you do not attend if you have any cold or flu-like symptoms, wear a mask, and practice social distancing.
Event organised by FISTT and ASEN