Black lives matter!
ALL: Black lives matter!
JACK: For weeks now, it's a message that's been echoing
right across the country...
MAN: No justice! CROWD: No peace!
..as thousands of people came together to show solidarity
with the Black Lives Matter movement in the US.
We stand with you, America. (CHEERING)
No more deaths!
For a lot of people, the protests overseas drew attention
to the many issues Australia's Indigenous people have faced
for a long time.
We have, since colonisation, been fighting
for our right to be recognised in our own country.
And today, it's wonderful to see you fellas here
to say enough is enough.
This has gone on for generations and generations.
You know, over 230 years of mourning is what we've been going through,
and you get tired,
it makes you so heart-sore, and enough is enough.
Really, it's just to the point where we're just done,
and we, like - even during a pandemic -
we need to make our voices heard.
Colonisation had a devastating effect on Australia's First People -
many lost their land and their lives.
Thousands of Indigenous people were murdered
in massacres that went on up until the early 20th century.
Children were stolen from their parents,
and people were denied the same basic rights
as white Australians.
Even after Indigenous people were allowed to vote
and counted as citizens, the racism didn't end.
Most of them are all dirty and everything.
MAN: And are Aboriginals allowed to go into the theatre?
Yes, they go in via that door over there.
And sit in a separate section? Yes.
KEVIN RUDD: As Prime Minister of Australia, I am sorry.
Over the years, there have been some big steps forward,
but many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people say
they still experience racism.
Could you really rely on her?
A recent study found that three out of four people
hold negative views about Australia's First People...
..and experts say that has had a big impact on people's lives.
For example, Indigenous kids are less likely
to attend school regularly,
and many are falling behind in things like literacy and numeracy,
Indigenous people are less likely to be employed,
especially in leadership and management positions,
and despite only making up 3% of the country's population,
Indigenous people make up 29% of prisoners in Australia.
It's not because we're lesser human beings,
it's because of the impact of historical policies
and utterly horrible abuses of Aboriginal people
and whole populations...
..for more than 200 years.
And that's what these protests were about -
to draw attention to racism in Australia,
which affects many people,
and not just Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
But the timing of these protests has made them controversial.
They were banned in some states last weekend
because of the risk of spreading Covid-19,
and the Prime Minister asked people not to protest.
The health risks of gathering in such large numbers,
and the risks of people coming into close proximity are real...
In some places, people protested anyway.
What do we want? Justice!
When do we want it? Now!
But whether or not the rallies continue,
many are hoping this is a message that doesn't get lost,
and that, together, we can make a difference.
Call out racism, call out ignorance, call out unjustifiable behaviour,
even if they're your family,
because that's where it starts - at home,
that's what you can control in your little circle.