Why we need to protest
It can be easy to forget that the rights we all enjoy today were not just handed to us out of the blue. We and generations before us fought for these rights, and this is especially true for Indigenous rights. First Nations people have had to fight harder for longer and for smaller wins, and we’re only able to do this work now because of the Elders who paved the way before us.
Protestors are often demonised in the press for causing a nuisance, but without these change-makers who have stood their ground, Indigenous rights would not be where it is today. But there’s still work to be done.
On the 26 January First Nations people and their allies will march for Indigenous justice to mark Invasion Day / Survival Day. This date is a day of mourning for many. It marks the start of the invasion and colonisation of this country, the mass genocide of First Nations peoples, and the dispossession of cultural practices, language and Country.
Protests are the driving force behind many social movements that call out injustice and abuse, demanding change and hoping for a better future.
Here are three historic protests that have advanced Indigenous rights in Australia:
1. 1967: Referendum

In May 1967, Australia held a referendum asking the Australian people to vote on recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution.
The referendum came after a decade of campaigning and the formation in 1958 of the first national Indigenous pressure group, the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement (FCAA). Across the 1950s and ‘60s, activists organised petitions to gain public support for constitutional change. FCAATSI campaigned for the ‘yes’ vote with support from unions, churches and the Labor Party.
This was the most successful referendum campaign in Australian history. Almost 91% of Australians voted ‘yes.’ This meant that Aboriginal people would be counted as part of the population, and the Commonwealth could make laws on their behalf.
2. 1972: Aboriginal Tent Embassy

In 1972, the McMahon government announced a new system that impacted on Indigenous land rights. The system forced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities into 50-year leases rather than granting independent ownership of traditional land.
Many Indigenous groups were spurred to action to protest this injustice. On 26 January 1972, four First Nations men – Michael Anderson, Billy Craigie, Bertie Williams and Tony Coorey – set up a beach umbrella on the lawns opposite Parliament House on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra).
The Embassy won support from around the country. It attracted both First Nations and non-Indigenous activists to join in solidarity over the land rights movement. Groups from the Embassy went on protest marches, lobbied the Government and spoke at community forums. Through protest, they brought awareness of land rights issues to the Australian public.
Over the years, the Embassy was torn down by police and had to be rebuilt. It’s had several different layouts in locations across Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), including the site of the current Australian Parliament House. The issues being protested have fluctuated over the years as well, depending on events in the political landscape. The Embassy now focuses on Indigenous rights issues including sovereignty and the right to self-determination.
“With its flags fluttering proudly in the breeze, the Aboriginal Embassy on the lawns opposite federal parliament has been one of the most successful press and parliamentary lobbies in Australian political history.”
John Newfong wrote in ‘Identity’ in 1972
3. 1988: Bicentenary Protest

On 26 January 1988, Australia was set to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the first fleet arriving on Bidjigal and Gadigal Country (Botany Bay and Sydney Cove). The planned events included a re-enactment of the first fleet’s arrival, a parade and concerts.
At the same time, more than 40,000 First Nations and non-Indigenous allies staged the largest march ever seen at that time in Sydney. They marched against the celebration of colonisation and dispossession, with buses travelling from rural and remote communities as well as interstate.
Protestors shone a spotlight on poor social, health and education outcomes, as well as high imprisonment rates and deaths in custody for First Nations people.
It was also a statement that, while the rest of Australia celebrated the arrival of the first fleet and all that came with it, First Nations people have survived, and are still here: “White Australia has a Black history”.
During the speeches at Hyde Park, activist Uncle Gary Foley said:
“Let’s hope Bob Hawke and his Government gets this message loud and clear from all these people here today. It’s so magnificent to see black and white Australians together in harmony. This is what Australia could and should be like.”
Make your voice heard
This 26 January, we encourage everyone to stand in solidarity with their local First Nations communities and attend Invasion Day rallies and events near you.
For more information, check out our Invasion Day 2025 Activist Toolkit.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- General information about the Invasion Day.
- Information about Amnesty’s current Indigenous Justice Campaigns.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) answered by experts.
- Additional learning resources to deepen your understanding.
- Events you can attend in your local area on and around January 26th.
- How to attend rallies and Invasion day events safely, and ways you can support from home.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.
Act now or learn more about our work on Indigenous Justice.