On Australia Day, some Australians expressed their dissent against the holiday, which represents colonialism, through acts of vandalism on monuments in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, symbolizing a growing movement to recognize Indigenous perspectives.
Protests Erupt on Australia Day as Monuments Face Vandalism
Protests Erupt on Australia Day as Monuments Face Vandalism
Statues of colonial figures in major Australian cities are targeted as a reflection of deep divisions surrounding Australia Day, renowned for its historical implications.
In the early hours of Australia Day, a national holiday on January 26, 2025, tensions flared across the country as some Australians took to vandalizing statues of historical figures associated with British colonization. This direct action occurred in key cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, revealing the contentious nature of the holiday that commemorates the arrival of a British fleet in the late 1700s and the subsequent establishment of a penal colony.
While many Australians celebrate with typical festivities such as barbecues and pool parties, a significant number view Australia Day as a symbol of historical injustices perpetrated against Indigenous populations. This divide has led critics to reframe the holiday as Invasion Day or Survival Day, calling for recognition of the oppression experienced by Aboriginal peoples throughout Australia's history.
In Sydney, the statue of Captain James Cook, who claimed parts of Australia in 1770, was vandalized with red paint and had its hand and nose removed. This statue had previously undergone restoration work after facing similar destructive protests last year. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, protestors toppled a monument honoring John Batman—an explorer instrumental in the city's founding—on land historically occupied by Aboriginal communities. Additionally, a memorial for Australian soldiers fallen in World War I was defaced with the phrase "land back," signifying the demand for the return of land to Indigenous Australians.
These events underscore a growing movement against colonialism, as activists continue to voice their frustrations and reshape the narrative surrounding Australia Day, pushing for acknowledgment of Indigenous rights and history amidst the ongoing celebrations of settler identity.
