Reconciliation Tasmania chief executive Mark Redmond says today's Black Lives Matter candlelight vigil in Launceston is a sign of a healthy democracy and growing frustration at ongoing racism in Australia.
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Mr Redmond said Australians who thought Aboriginal people should "just get over what happened to them" were ignorant.
"White Australia benefits and profits from the dispossession of the land here only 230 years ago," he said.
"Unless we confront the real history of the dispossession and theft of this land and reconcile what happened, there will be ongoing racism because a lot of people just don't get it. It's innocent ignorance."
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Institutional racism still existed because there was a lack of political leadership, Mr Redmond said.
"Aboriginal people are the most incarcerated on the planet, higher than America per head of population.
"I think for every 100,000 first nations adults we've got 2481 in prison compared to 164 non-indigenous people. Those statistics speak for themselves."
The vigil to be held at Prince's Square from 4.30pm was "a really great opportunity for non-Aboriginal people to show their solidarity with their Aboriginal brothers and sisters", Mr Redmond said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians should not gather in large numbers because of COVID-19.
Premier Peter Gutwein said people had a right to protest peacefully.
"Tasmania Police will of course monitor proceedings to ensure that the event is safe and in accordance with gathering restrictions," Mr Gutwein said.