The state government of Victoria, Australia has drawn critism from community groups and members of the community who say there is no adequate plan in place to rehome the ten thouasand residents currently living in public homes set for demolition.
Organisers of the event, which include; Save Public Housing Collective, Stop the Demo & the Renters and Housing Union allege that the decision disproportionally targets First Nations people, asylum seekers, disabled people, the elderly and poorest in our community. With the 10,000 residents facing displacement only to be added to the front of the waiting list for public housing in Victoria that currently sits at 58,000 people long, not including the those about to be added.
The protest event started at 11am on Saturday May 30th 2026, and was attended by roughly 500 members of the community. The event commenced at the State Library of Victoria before heading along La Trobe, Nicholson and Gertrude Streets on their way to Atherton Gardens, which are located at the site public housing towers set for demolition.
Legacy media attended the event, pictured is one of their camera operaters gathering footage while speeches were being conducted at the start. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)A protester holds a sign up as speeches were being conducted. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Legacy media camera operators rush to gather footage of the protests marching ban ‘Riff-Raff’ as the protesters start towards Atherton Gardens from the Victorian State Library. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)The protests marching band ‘Riff-Raff’ lead the main group of protestors from their starting location at the Victorian State Library. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)The march as it makes it way up La Trobe St, one of the main streets in the CBD. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)The front of the protest as they make their way along Nicholson St on their way to Atherton Gardens. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)A protester rests at a tram stop while the main group catches up. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Pictured in the background are the two public housing buildings set for demolishion, protesters are turning off Nicholson St onto Gertrude St as they make their way to Atherton Gardens. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Pictured is the reflection of one of the publc housing buildings in the rear window of a parked car as the protest passes by. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Once arriving at Atherton Gardens protesters were met with a barbeque run by volunteers. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)A hand crafted sign hangs from shelter that was set up at the protests end point in Atherton Gardens. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Pictured is the reflection on a Riff-Raff members trumpet showing the crowd and public housing buildings. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Local resident still residing in the public housing building set for demolition speaks to protesters (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Riff-Raff marching band member pictured in conversation with a protester in front of a collection of protest signs and the public housing in the background. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)Pictured is the gathering of protesters after the conclusion of the march from Victoria State Libraray to Atherton Gardens with the public housing buildings in the background. (Photo: Michael Johnstone)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work; the Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin nation. we pay respects to elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded, this always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
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