More than 1500 people gathered in Crown Street Mall on Sunday to protest in solidarity with Black Lives Matter rallies in the US.
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Many wore masks but with such a large turnout in the city centre social distancing was an issue.
Just prior to the peaceful rally beginning placards were held high saying things like Black Lives Matter, I Stand For You and Stop Deaths In Custody.
No sooner had the protest, organised by the National Union of Students, started in the amphitheatre at 2pm than tears were shed by the two young women doing the welcome to country.
That was followed by silence for the 432 indigenous Australians who have died in custody since the Royal Commission and all 1500 in attendance taking to one knee to call for justice and accountability.
The names of all those who have lost their lives were written out for all to see in front of the stage.
Those gathered in the mall heard some of the many stories from families who had lost a love one as NSW Police officers watched on from a distance with little interaction with the protestors.
The closest they came was during a march through Crown Street Mall to the Keira St intersection where they stood for a short time before many dispersed to MacCabe Park.
One dominant chant that rang out through the mall was "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!"
Another was "Black Lives Matter".
Some of the speakers said "racism is a pandemic" and "we need to stand together".
They said it was important to remember racism it is not only an issue in the US.
The Wollongong rally was one of several demonstrations around the country - including Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday - in protest over the death of African American man George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
The 46-year-old died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes while he was handcuffed face down on the street.
Prior to Sunday's rally NUS president ethnocultural officer Vinil Kumar said the organisers were expecting around 500 people to turn out in Wollongong to express solidarity with protests for racial justice in the US and to highlight to the struggle for justice in Australia against indigenous deaths in custody.
Among those attending the Black Lives Matter rally in Wollongong was Christine Keaveny who said it was good to see such a large turnout but it was sad it took an international event for it to happen in Australia.
"I was involved in Black Deaths in Custody in Sydney for a very long time and we used to get 10 people turning up," she said.
"I am really really pleased to see so many people here. This is emphasising the Australian context and it is about bloody time".
Emma Arnold, of Narooma, said it was great to see so much support in Wollongong.
"I am a Yuin woman from the South Coast so this is part of my land. And I just wanted to come and empower people to make the right decision," she said.
"I hope this brings more recognition to indigenous deaths in custody".
Sayne Dalton said it was a very important day and it was great to see the Wollongong rally attract a large turnout just like Sydney and Melbourne had on Saturday.
"I am here to recognise the social injustice and structural racism that exists in our society," she said.
"It has existed for a long time and I want to help raise awareness in the community about the fact that this is real and we need to do something. Now is the time".
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