Australia Day Sparks Protests and Calls for Change Amid Ongoing Controversy
Following a failed referendum to acknowledge Indigenous Australians in the constitution, the national day continues to be a flashpoint for debates on Indigenous rights and recognition.
- Australia's national day, also known as Australia Day, Invasion Day or Survival Day, continues to spark controversy and protests due to its association with the arrival of British settlers in 1788 and the subsequent dispossession of Indigenous Australians.
- Indigenous Australians and an increasing number of non-Indigenous Australians view January 26 as a day of mourning rather than celebration.
- Last year, a referendum to acknowledge the nation's first people in its constitution and create an Indigenous advisory body was rejected by over 60% of voters, leading to further tension and debate.
- Despite the referendum's failure, some Indigenous groups are using the day to advocate for justice, reconciliation, and recognition, and to draw attention to unresolved issues.
- Two Australian Football League clubs, Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, have publicly called for a change to the date of Australia Day.
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