Marchers at Perth’s Invasion Day rally told to evacuate due to ‘reports of a threat’

Police have told parts of Perth’s Invasion Day rally crowd to disperse over concerns someone has thrown something dangerous into the crowd.

Thousands are marching at the rally, which started at Forrest Place at noon.

At the same time, an opposing rally, March for Australia – encouraging Australians to embrace the date of Australia Day – was held at the other end of the city.

The Invasion Day group continued to march towards the Swan River on Monday afternoon, with many in the crowd seemingly unaware of police with megaphones telling the crowd, “There is something in the crowd that poses a risk to your safety”.

WA Police have since confirmed they are responding to reports of a threat at Forrest Place, and an exclusion zone has been established, with one person in custody.

“Members of the public are asked to stay away from the area and await further advice,” a police statement read.

People in the crowd chanted ‘Always was, always will be Aboriginal land’, while others held signs saying, ‘No pride in genocide, change the date’, and ‘Stop ignoring genocide’.

January 26, the day Governor Arthur Phillip ran up the British flag at Sydney Cove, is officially Australia Day, but many around the country mark the date as “Invasion Day”, recognising the dispossession of Indigenous Australians.

Meanwhile, the March for Australia rally saw another, smaller group of protesters gather at Wellington Square.

According to a Facebook page promoting the event, this year’s Perth March for Australia rally appears to focus more on Australia Day and keeping the public holiday on the traditional date.

The crowd of around 1000, many draped in Australian flags, chanted, ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’, as One Nation WA leader Rod Caddies spoke.

“Where are the Liberals, where is Labor, where are the Nats?,” he asked.

“They are not here because they are too afraid, but not One Nation. Let me tell you what we’re fighting for – the right for free speech.”

A WA Police spokeswoman said a strong police presence would be maintained at both rallies, with officers to only intervene if a protest becomes unlawful, disorderly, or there is a threat posed to public safety.

“While there is no intelligence to suggest any heightened threat in WA, these high visibility patrols are in place to provide reassurance and demonstrate our commitment to keeping the community safe and preventing harm,” she said.

Similar rallies took place in other major capital cities around Australia as thousands use the national holiday to express their views.

In Sydney, an Invasion Day rally at Hyde Park opened with a tribute to the victims of the Lake Cargelligo shooting.

Photos of the victims Sophie Quinn, who was pregnant when she was allegedly murdered, her partner John Harris and Sophie’s aunt Nerida Quinn, were displayed at the protest.

In Melbourne, both rallies were several thousand people strong, with the Invasion Day march estimated to be at least twice the size of the March for Australia.