Some Australians were not in the mood to celebrate the national holiday of the country on Sunday because they had long been a reminder of colonial oppression. Several demonstrators moved this antipathy a step further – vandalism statues to British settlers and King of England.
The damage done in Sydney, Melbourne and Canbera was a fresh sign that Australia’s Day, which reminds when the British fleet sailed into the port of Sydney at the end of the 18th century to establish a prison colony, remains distributed.
Although some Australians celebrate the holiday by grilling and party by the pool, critics note that it has put it in motion for centuries of oppression of the native inhabitants. Some prefer to call it an invasion day or the day of survival, and their displeasure makes clear protests or other actions.
In Sydney this week a statue Captain James Cookwhich in 1770 claimed a part of the Australian continent for the British crown was red -colored. His hand and nose were also separated. The statue was restored after faced a similar attack last year.
In Melbourne, and monument John Batman, an explorer who settled the city in the territories occupied by the indigenous people, was overthrown and was overthrown and destroyed early on Saturday. Demonstrators in Melbourne also sprayed the inscription “Land Back” to the Memorial of Australian soldiers who died in fighting in the First World War.
And on Sunday in the Canbera, the capital, graffiti was on the statue of King George V. “The colony falls,” wrote someone in red.
Australian representatives condemned vandalism.
“We should find in our hears and respect the differences in our minds, but not to let it be ugly,” he said Jacinta AllanState Prime Minister Victoria, According to the report from 9News.
Police representatives in Victoria and Nový South Wales said on Sunday afternoon that there was no arrest or accusation in connection with vandalism in Sydney and Melbourne. Police in Canbera did not immediately respond to the question.
People have been protesting against Australia for decades. Recent protests were supported by the Global Movement Black Lives Matterin which people in the United States, Britain and elsewhere they overthrew the statues they saw as symbols of racism and oppression.
Last year in Melbourne was the statue of Captain Cook anklesand the monument of King George V. was beheaded.
Many Australian leaders are very well aware of the racist colonial past of their country and are not afraid to say it publicly. In one example, the city of Melbourne has a section “narration“, Which speaks of the development of” shared understanding of the impacts of colonization and expropriation on indigenous nations “.
However, some indigenous activists are not enough to recognize historical injustices. It was clear when King Charles III visited Australia last year.
“You are not our king,” said his voice shortly after Charles, who retains the festive title of the head of state in the former British colony, finished his speech in parliament. “Return our country.” Give us what you stole from us. “
The voice belonged to Lidia Thorpe, an indigenous senator and an activist for the rights of the natives. When the security was driven by the chamber, it accused the British colonizers of the genocide and demanded Britain to enter into a contract with the Australian indigenous population.
The king was inadvertently watched from the stage.
