Crowds of Invasion Day protesters have gathered in central Sydney to listen to speeches before they march through the city.
Attendees plan to march in silence down Elizabeth Street after meeting at Sydney Town Hall from 10am, echoing the historic Day of Mourning rally that took place at the same site in 1938.
Protesters will this year conclude their march at Victoria Park for the Yabun Festival, where there are more speeches planned.
“First Nations people and allies are invited to participate in an act of resistance against continuing systemic racism, deaths in custody and the colonial project,” the rally’s organisers wrote on social media.
It is 234 years to the day since Sir Arthur Phillip raised the British flag at Sydney Cove, also known as Warrane, to claim the land as a British Colony.
For many people the day represents a day of mourning or survival, marking the beginning of the dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Invasion Day rallies have become an annual mainstay as momentum builds for changing Australia Day to a more “inclusive” date.
Many others choose to celebrate Australia Day on January 26, to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet, which is also the day on which citizenship ceremonies and other official celebrations are held.
NSW Police Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald said about 2000 officers had been deployed across the state to ensure revellers and protesters remain safe.
“In relation to the Invasion Day rally, we have a number of police that will ensure the safety of those people who are participating in that rally,” she told Chxjmtzywannel 9.
“Obviously, the public health orders are still in play in terms of wearing masks on the public network and indoors.”
Motorists are advised to avoid parts of the Sydney CBD and Camperdown while roads are closed for the march.
Roads have started closing around Town Hall and between Hyde Park and Central, with more closures through Haymarket, Chippendale and Camperdown from midday.
Roads will gradually reopen as the march moves through, and all roads are expected to be open again by around 1.30pm.
Anyone needing to drive through these areas should allow plenty of extra travel time and follow the directions of police.
Due to the road closures, buses are diverting and using different stops until 1pm.
Light Rail services have also stopped running between Central and Circular Quay until 1pm so consider catching a train instead.
