The most powerful images from the Black Lives Matter protests across Australia

It was an outpouring of pain, anger and solidarity on an immense scale - Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians walking side-by-side in their tens of thousands for real and lasting change.

Thousands of protesters took a knee in Sydney at 4.32pm to mark the 432 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991.

Protesters took a knee at Sydney's Belmore Park and held a minute silence for Indigenous Australians who have died in custody. Source: AAP

Tens of thousands of people have gathered at Black Lives Matter protests across Australia's regional and capital cities, calling for an end to violence against Indigenous people. 

The passionate rallies were inspired by the ongoing protests across the United States over the death of George Floyd, who died while being arrested in Minneapolis.

Demonstrators were told to stay home by the prime minister and authorities due to the risk of coronavirus, but they still took to the streets in large numbers to demand justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The nationwide demonstrations were overwhelmingly peaceful, aside from a confrontation in Sydney where police pepper sprayed a group of protesters.
#BLM was written in skywriting in Sydney on Saturday morning.
#BLM appeared in skywriting in Sydney on Saturday morning. Source: AAP
Aboriginal Elders participating in a traditional smoke ceremony in front of Sydney Town Hall at the Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney.
Aboriginal elders conducted a traditional smoke ceremony at the beginning of the Sydney rally at Town Hall. Source: AAP
Man kneels and offers hand to officer in Sydney at the Black Lives Matter protest.
A man in Sydney takes a knee and offers his hand to a police officer Source: AAP
These women are showing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement and calling for an end to racism.
These women were among the thousands of people to march in Sydney Source: SBS News: Nick Baker.
Protester stands for a racial equality at Sydney rally.
Protesters carried signs with a powerful message for authorities and fellow Australians. Source: AAP
Police on horseback monitor the crowd. One man, who was shouting "all lives matter" was taken away in handcuffs and later released.
Police on horseback monitor the crowd in Sydney. One man, who was shouting "all lives matter", was taken away in handcuffs and later released. Source: AAP
More than 5,000 people packed Victoria Square in Adelaide where police praised the organisers.
More than 5,000 people packed Victoria Square in Adelaide, where police praised the organisers. Source: AAP
Former NRL player and Wiradjuri man Joe Williams kneels with protesters at Wagga Wagga Black Lives Matter rally.
Former NRL player and Wiradjuri man Joe Williams takes a knee with protesters at Wagga Wagga. Source: Twitter: Joe Williams
Serkalem Mulu, Achamyalesh Mulu, and Mariam Kaba attended a vigil in Hobart
Serkalem Mulu, Achamyalesh Mulu and Mariam Kaba attended a vigil in Hobart Source: Sarah Maunder/SBS News
A young girl holds up a sign during the Sydney protest
A young girl with a simple message in Sydney Source: SBS News: Nick Baker
Thousands of protesters took a knee in Sydney at 4.32pm to mark the 432 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991.
Thousands of protesters took a knee in Sydney at 4.32pm to mark the 432 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991. Source: AAP
Leetona Dungay, whose son David Dungay Jr died in Long Bay jail in 2015, at the Sydney Black Lives Matter protest.
Leetona Dungay, whose son David Dungay Jr died in Long Bay jail in 2015, moments after the NSW Court of Appeal authorised the rally. Source: AAP
Hundreds of people participated in the Brisbane rally
Hundreds of people participated in the Brisbane rally Source: AAP
Protesters during a march in Brisbane
Protesters during the march in Brisbane Source: AAP
Protesters in Melbourne gather in front of Flinders Street Station
Protesters in Melbourne gather in front of Flinders Street Station Source: AAP
Many protesters, including these two in Melbourne, wore face masks.
Many protesters, including these two in Melbourne, wore face masks. Source: AAP
Police spray protesters with pepper spray inside Central Station after a Black Lives Matter rally in Sydney.
Police spray protesters with pepper spray inside Sydney's Central Station after the rally. Source: AAP

Share
1 min read
Published 6 June 2020 7:29pm
Updated 6 June 2020 7:46pm
Source: SBS News



Share this with family and friends