Voice to Parliament supporters gather in their thousands as ‘Walk for Yes’ rallies begin across Australia
Supporters of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament have gathered in different states to participate in ‘Walk for Yes’ events.
The Yes23 campaign organised multiple rallies across the nation this weekend with the aim to provide an opportunity for ‘Yes’ campaigners to meet each other, show their support and have their questions discussed.
Organisers of a walk being held near the Queensland town of Gympie said attendees could make their own “positive” signs, print off flyers to share around or wear a shirt with a ‘Yes’ slogan.
Politicians have joined Australians walking in support of the Voice, including Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney.
Speaking to the crowd gathered in Melbourne’s CBD, Mr Dreyfus declared the ‘No’ campaign has “no solutions” and the Uluru Statement from the Heart was an invitation to walk together to a better future.
Linda Burney also made a short speech to huge swathes of supporters in Federation Square.
“I am almost crying. It is truly overwhelming to look out over this crowd and see you,” she said.
“To know where your hearts are, to know where your spirit lives.
“And that you, like us, want to embrace this opportunity to move this country forward together.”
It is estimated almost one thousand people have attended some events, including the rally held at Victoria Square in Adelaide on Saturday.
Large crowds were also seen near Perth’s Optus Stadium, with musical performances expected from John Butler and Phil Walleystack.
The ‘Walk for Yes’ events even extended to the United States where Voice to Parliament supporters were photographed under the Brooklyn Bridge holding placards.
The rallies follow a new advertisement from the ‘Yes’ campaign which launched across TV, radio, digital and print on Saturday developed by the Clemenger agency.
The ad features an Indigenous boy who questions if he will grow up in a country which hears his voice.
“Will I live as long as other Australians?” the boy asks in the ad.
The advertisement forms part of the ‘Yes’ campaign’s $20 million advertising blitz ahead of the referendum on October 14.
