While thousands of Australians will be celebrating today by listening to the Hottest 100 and enjoying the day off, numerous staff from organisations like GetUp, Amnesty and the Red Cross have decided to keep working in solidarity with those who want to change the date of the national holiday.
For many Australians the date of January 26 marks a dark day in Australia’s history – the arrival of the first fleet, and the beginning of a violent British colonisation.
“This is not a day to celebrate. Staff will either come to work or join GetUp members at Invasion Day actions being organised and led by local Indigenous people,” said National Director of GetUp, Paul Oosting.
“It is a time for somber reflection on our dark history. We support moving the day to a more inclusive, less disrespectful day for all people,” he said.
While GetUp proudly registered the activist group’s protest with a media release, Amnesty and the Red Cross declined to comment.
It's understood all three organisations gave their staff the choice to stay at work on the day.
