Avi Yemini has hit the streets of Melbourne again, this time to speak with folks protesting Australia Day. Well, something like that, at least. They’re just not really sure what’s going on.
“Are you against Australia Day?” Yemini asked a protester at the rally.
“Yeah,” the man replied.
“What’s the problem with Australia Day?” Yemini asked.
“I’m not quite sure. I’m not from here. I’m not a local,” the man responded.
Another protester told Yemini that the problem with celebrating Australia Day on 26 January is that, “on this day James Cook arrived in Australia.”
Actually, James Cook landed at Botany Bay on 29 April 1770. January 26 marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson and the raising of the British flag by Governor Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove. By this time, James Cook had been dead for nine years.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young made a similar gaffe last year. “In a press release accusing Communications Minister Mitch Fifield of ignorance for being unable to name the traditional owners of Botany Bay, Senator Hanson-Young incorrectly linked Australia Day with Captain Cook’s arrival on April 29, 1770,” The Australian reported.
WATCH:
WATCH what happened when I attended today's rally against Australia day in Melbourne.
These people don't even know what they're protesting…
Support my work ? https://t.co/k995AK2O2O pic.twitter.com/VH8AjB74s6
— Avi Yemini ???? (@OzraeliAvi) January 26, 2019
