Well over one thousand people joined on the procession from the inner-northern suburbs and through the CBD of Naarm on Friday for the annual NAIDOC March.
The crowd gathered at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy, before moving along Nicholson Street from Midday.
Calls for land rights and systematic change in the justice system, and 'Always was, always will be Aboriginal land' echoed through the streets.
"Always was, always will be Aboriginal land"
"What do we want? Land rights. When do we want them? Now"
Jason Tamiru led the march, stopping beside the fig tree at what is now Carlton Gardens to acknowledge what was a meeting place for ancestors and ongoing symbolic site of the fight for recognition and post-colonial discrimination, marginalisation and displacement of Indigenous people.
Aunty Pam Pedersen, Yorta Yorta woman, daughter of Sir Doug and Lady Gladys Nicholls, and long-time advocate for Indigenous rights and wellbeing in the judiciary system, told those joining NAIDOC she was filled with pride to see the continuation of the march, and collective gathering, on the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week.
"Keep going, be proud," AFL champion Nathan Lovett Murray said as he addressed the march.
The procession paused at Parliament House on the northern fringe of the city before continuing down Bourke Street towards the Birrarung (Yarra River) to Federation Square, where NAIDOC in the city was hosted through the afternoon.
All images by Jarred Cross
