Invasion Day 2021 rally in Canberra draws a big crowd

Protesters first gathered at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on Tuesday morning before making the march up the hill to Parliament House.

The crowd chanted slogans, such as "always was, always will be, Aboriginal land", as local elders spoke of why January 26 was a day of mourning for Indigenous people along with the injustices still faced more than two centuries later.

One of the speakers, Justine Brown, who's been attending the event for about 27 years said she was sick of little change being made.

Ms Brown told The Canberra Times it was heartening to see so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people show up for the rally but much still needed to be done.

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"It's one step at a time," Ms Brown said.

"We need to get more leaders up in our Parliament representing us, actual grassroots leaders.

"People who have lived in our communities, experienced the struggles that we have struggled with and are able to advocate on a level that is going to affect the whole of Australia."

Australian Federal Police maintained a strong presence at the event but the crowd remained peaceful and no incidents were recorded. A spokesperson said the police were "very happy" with the way the community conducted the event.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to budge on calls to change the date and said there was no escaping the fact January 26 marks the date Australia changed forever.

The Prime Minister argued that is exactly why Australia Day should be held on the date each year.

"We do it on this day when the course of this land changed forever," he said in Canberra on Tuesday.

"There is no escaping or cancelling that fact, for better or worse."

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