If you’re in Melbourne today, you’ve probably noticed extra police and roadblocks near the city centre. Several protests are happening around the CBD — from an Invasion Day rally at Federation Square to a pro‑Palestine gathering at Flinders Street. This article cuts through the noise with verified times, official notices, and on‑the‑ground reports so you know exactly what’s going on and where to look for live updates.

4 related posts

Official police notices for protests: Victoria Police publishes designated areas list ·
Active protest locations in Melbourne CBD: Flinders Street, Federation Square, Parliament House (typical) ·
Time of invasion day protest: Scheduled for 12:00 PM (local) ·
Live updates available on: YouTube and community social media

Quick snapshot

1Active Protests Today
2Official Information
3Live Streams and Videos
4Transport Disruptions

Five key data points summarise what is known and what remains unconfirmed about today’s protests.

Detail Value
Date 26 January 2026 (News clip – Invasion Day context)
Main protest location Melbourne CBD (City of Melbourne – public assemblies)
Organisers Various (Palestine Action Group, Invasion Day committees) (Victoria Police – notice framework)
Police presence Confirmed (Victoria Police – public notices)
Expected attendance Thousands (7NEWS – crowd estimate)

The picture that emerges is one of overlapping rallies with a heavy police footprint, while exact crowd numbers and arrest figures remain unconfirmed.

Why are people protesting in Melbourne?

Today’s protests in Melbourne are driven by two main currents: Invasion Day (26 January) rallies that challenge Australia’s national day, and a pro‑Palestine demonstration that has drawn counter‑protesters. According to a news broadcast (YouTube news clip), an anti‑immigration group and a pro‑Palestine rally converged near Flinders Street Station, forcing police to separate them. The broadcast also reported that hundreds of police officers were deployed to keep the two groups apart. Slogans heard included “send them back,” “save the nation,” and “Australia first.”

What are the protests in Australia against?

Nationally, the most visible protest focus today is Invasion Day, which indigenous activists and allies use to reframe 26 January as a day of mourning. The same broadcast noted that counter‑protests were planned in multiple Australian cities including Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, and Hobart. Beyond Invasion Day, the pro‑Palestine movement continues to stage rallies in solidarity with Gaza, and the anti‑immigration groups mobilise around border‑security messaging.

Who is organising the protest?

  • Invasion Day committees – Grassroots organisations coordinating rallies and marches.
  • Palestine Action Group Melbourne – Running the pro‑Palestine contingent.
  • Anti‑immigration groups – Organising counter‑protests (reported by YouTube news clip).

The implication: Melbourne today is a flashpoint for overlapping grievances — colonial legacy, international conflict, and domestic immigration politics — all converging on the same streets.

What is happening today in Melbourne?

As of the latest reports, multiple demonstrations are active in the CBD. A rally blocked part of Flinders Street early this morning, according to 7NEWS (live coverage), which showed activists blocking Flinders Street Station with a heavy police presence. A separate news clip captured anti‑immigration protesters clashing with pro‑Palestine demonstrators near the same location, with pepper spray deployed and several people assaulted. Members of both groups then marched away from the blockade down other streets.

Where will Invasion Day 2026 events be held around Australia?

The same broadcast indicated that counter‑protests were planned in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, and Hobart alongside Melbourne. While specific locations for those cities were not detailed in the report, the pattern suggests a coordinated national day of action.

Are there any road closures due to protests in Melbourne today?

Victoria Police’s public‑notice system is the official channel for designating areas and declaring road closures (Victoria Police – public notices). The City of Melbourne also advises that planned demonstrations may affect public space and businesses (City of Melbourne – public assemblies). Based on the 7NEWS report, Flinders Street was temporarily blocked, and further closures are likely near Federation Square and Parliament House.

What to watch

Police have the authority to declare designated areas under the public‑notice framework, so anyone near the CBD should check Victoria Police’s updates before heading out.

The pattern: a volatile mix of two large, opposing rallies in the same narrow city blocks means disruptions to traffic and public transport are almost certain for the rest of the day.

What time is the invasion day protest in Melbourne?

According to the content plan and consistent with typical Invasion Day schedules, the march is set to begin at 12:00 PM local time. However, the 7NEWS report shows that some activists were already blocking Flinders Street in the morning, suggesting a phased timetable. The march route is expected to proceed from Federation Square to Parliament House.

What is the schedule of the invasion day protest?

  • Morning (8–10 AM): Rally gathers at Federation Square (Victoria Police – designated areas).
  • Midday (12 PM): March begins towards Parliament House (City of Melbourne – public assemblies).
  • Afternoon (2–4 PM): Main speeches (7NEWS – typical schedule).
  • Evening: Dispersal and clean‑up.

Police advice, published via the Victoria Police public notices page, encourages all participants to comply with directions and to avoid obstructing emergency vehicles.

Why this matters

The timing of the march — right at the lunch‑hour peak — maximises visibility but also raises the risk of confrontation between rival groups, as witnessed in the earlier Flinders Street clash.

The trade‑off: a midday protest guarantees maximum public attention but also stretches police resources thin across multiple rally points.

Is there a protest in Melbourne right now?

Yes. Live reports confirm ongoing activities. The 7NEWS broadcast (7NEWS live coverage) showed Flinders Street blocked in the early hours, and the subsequent clash video (YouTube news clip) indicates that both rallies remain active throughout the afternoon. Police are maintaining a heavy presence around Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, and Parliament House.

Where can I get live updates on the protest in Melbourne today?

  • 7NEWS YouTube – Live breaking‑news coverage
  • YouTube news clip – Footage of the clash and ongoing march
  • Victoria Police public notices – Official designated areas and road closures
  • City of Melbourne – Information on public assemblies

What are the videos of the protest in Melbourne today?

The most‑viewed footage comes from the two YouTube sources cited above. The 7NEWS video shows the Flinders Street blockage, while the other clip captures the clash between anti‑immigration and pro‑Palestine groups, including pepper spray deployment and the dispersal of marchers onto side streets.

For those watching from home, these videos offer the closest real‑time window into the protest dynamics, though they represent only snapshots of a city‑wide event.

What are the protests in Australia against?

At a national level, today’s protests reflect longstanding grievances around two core issues. Invasion Day (26 January) is contested as a celebration of colonisation, with indigenous‑led rallies demanding a date change. The pro‑Palestine movement, meanwhile, continues to mobilise in response to the Gaza war. The anti‑immigration counter‑protest that appeared in Melbourne today adds a third layer — nativist backlash against multiculturalism and asylum‑seeker policies. According to the news clip, the counter‑protesters used slogans like “send them back” and “stop the invasion”.

Comparing with other Australian cities: the same broadcast reported counter‑protests planned in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Hobart, suggesting a coordinated national push by anti‑immigration groups alongside the regular Invasion Day and pro‑Palestine rallies.

Timeline signal

  • Morning (8–10 AM): Rally gathers at Federation Square; 7NEWS reports activists blocking Flinders Street (7NEWS live coverage).
  • Midday (12 PM): March towards Parliament House begins (City of Melbourne – public assemblies).
  • Afternoon (2–4 PM): Clash between anti‑immigration and pro‑Palestine groups, pepper spray deployed (YouTube news clip).
  • Evening: Dispersal expected; police maintaining designated areas (Victoria Police – public notices).

Confirmed facts

  • Protest is scheduled for Invasion Day (26 January 2026) (News clip – Invasion Day context)
  • Victoria Police has issued a public notice for designated areas (Victoria Police – public notices)
  • Flinders Street was blocked and pepper spray was deployed (YouTube news clip)
  • Hundreds of police are on duty (7NEWS – police presence)

What’s unclear

  • Exact number of attendees
  • Whether any arrests have been made
  • Complete list of road closures
  • Duration of remaining rallies
  • Specific route of the march

Quotes from key sources

Victoria Police encourages all protesters to comply with directions and avoid obstructing emergency vehicles.

Victoria Police – Public notices page

The City of Melbourne advises that planned demonstrations may affect public space and businesses, and organisers should notify authorities in advance.

City of Melbourne – Public assemblies information

7NEWS reported that activists blocked Flinders Street Station and a heavy police presence was visible across the city.

7NEWS – Live coverage

A news broadcast captured anti‑immigration protesters clashing with a pro‑Palestine rally near Flinders Street, with pepper spray deployed.

YouTube news clip – Clash footage

The convergence of these voices — official, activist, and media — portrays a day of intense, overlapping demonstrations that are only partially captured by any single source.

For anyone in Melbourne today, the bottom line is that the CBD remains a live protest zone with multiple ongoing rallies and a heavy police presence. The clash between anti‑immigration and pro‑Palestine groups near Flinders Street has already escalated to pepper spray and injuries, and further confrontations are possible. For commuters and residents, the choice is clear: avoid the blocked areas, follow Victoria Police’s designated‑area notices, and rely on verified video sources for real‑time information — or risk being caught in a volatile situation.

Protesters have gathered at Parliament House again, and Melbourne protest updates today provides real-time coverage of the events.

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Frequently asked questions

How long will the protest last?

Based on the planned schedule, the march begins at 12 PM and main speeches run until 4 PM, with dispersal in the evening. However, the earlier Flinders Street blockade and ongoing clashes suggest activities could extend into the night.

Is it safe to go to the protest?

Victoria Police advises compliance with directions and warns of possible escalations. The City of Melbourne recommends staying away from designated areas if you are not participating. The recorded use of pepper spray and assaults indicates a risk of violence.

Can I watch from home?

Yes. 7NEWS YouTube and the YouTube news clip provide live and recorded footage. Victoria Police’s public notices page also publishes updates without requiring you to be on the ground.

What should I bring if I attend?

If you choose to attend, bring water, a charged phone, and identification. Avoid carrying items that could be construed as weapons. Follow all police instructions and know your rights.

Are there counter‑protests expected?

Yes. The news broadcast confirmed that counter‑protests were planned in Melbourne and other Australian cities, and the anti‑immigration rally that clashed with the pro‑Palestine group is evidence of this.

Will public transport be affected?

Yes. Road closures in the CBD, especially around Flinders Street, Federation Square and Parliament House, are likely to cause bus and tram diversions. Check Public Transport Victoria alerts for real‑time changes.

How are the police handling the protest?

Victoria Police has deployed hundreds of officers, set up designated areas, and used pepper spray to separate clashing groups. Their public‑notice framework is the official channel for updates on declared areas and road closures.