National Day of Mourning brings anti-monarchy activists to the streets
While many Australians were mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth on the specially appointed public holiday, anti-monarchy activists took to the streets to celebrate the end of her reign.
With protests taking place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, activists declared "I'm glad the b**** is dead" just hours after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid affectionate tribute to the deceased monarch on the country’s National Day of Mourning.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered on the steps of Sydney's Town Hall to protest the institution of the royal family and call for an Australian republic, Indigenous sovereignty, a treaty with Aboriginal Australians, and reparations for past wrongs.
Under heavy police presence, speakers listed demands and grievances against British monarchs going back to Queen Victoria.
Many of the speeches were heavily laced with profanity and declarations such as “f*** the royal family.”
One speaker enthusiastically sang, “If you’re happy that she’s dead, clap your hands!”
Signs reading “Sovereignty never ceded” and “It’s Aboriginal land” were seen throughout the crowd.
Despite the strong anti-monarchy rhetoric, a small group of counter-protestors showed up to show their support for the late Queen and the monarchy.
While their counter was peaceful, they were asked to move by police who said they feared inflaming a “tense situation”.
Dana Pham, 34, a self-described constitutional monarchist whose parents emigrated as refugees from Vietnam, stood to one side holding a portrait of the late Queen.
“I like everyone else want to see the gap closed,” she said.
“Obviously there are a lot of issues affecting Aboriginal communities, but … the twisting of history does nobody any favours,” she said.
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