Thousands of protesters in Melbourne's CBD.Credit:Joe Armao
Ms Nicholson said Australians needed to understand that systemic discrimination resulting in police killings of people because of their race was not just happening in the United States,but also in Australia.
"Our young men are saying'I can't breathe','I can't breathe'and they die,"Ms Nicholson said.
The Wurundjeri leaders,whose native land is Melbourne,painted white ochre across their foreheads as a sign of mourning.
"We all bleed red because we are human,"one speaker who addressed the crowd said.
Protesters in Melbourne.Credit:Chris Hopkins
Wakka Wakka woman Naomi Murphy,who came from Traralgon with her 11-year-old daughter Destiny,said police brutality was something she dealt with on a regular basis at her work with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.
"I think out of all that's happened in America,it's given us a platform to shine a light on what's happening here,and an opportunity to educate Australia on Aboriginal deaths in custody,"she said.
"This is not new,none of this is new."
Wakka Wakka woman Naomi Murphy with her daughter Destiny.Credit:Rachael Dexter
Mia Allen said it was important for her to attend the rally to show she opposes Aboriginal deaths in custody.
"I have a responsibility to use my power and privilege to address racial violence committed by the Australian state,"Ms Allen said.
Teachers Tim and Andrea attended the march with their children Poppy,Daisy and Harry to teach them that change"starts in your own backyard".
"Australia's history is not that good and we want to do something about the future,"Amber said.
Teachers Tim and Andrea with their children.Credit:Zach Hope
Tim said he wanted his children to understand they live a privileged life,while many Australians do not.
Ezi Osman,an East African woman,who has lived in Australia for 30 years,was also at the rally with her children."It's important for them to know how to stand up for themselves,"said she.
"When they hear something in the news that isn't fair they know there's something they can do."
Ezi Osman at Melbourne's Black Lives Matter protest with her family. Credit:Rachael Dexter
Social distancing was impossible in the large crowd,as thousands of protesters marched shoulder-to-shoulder from Parliament House on Spring Street,down Bourke Street.
Protesters held signs with slogans such as"injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"and"tolerating racism is racism".
A sea of protesters marching down Bourke Street.Credit:Joe Armao
CBD resident and protester Sam Ross described the rally as"beautiful,kind,compassionate,caring,peaceful and moving".
"You couldn't have asked for a better protest,"the 26-year-old said."Which is really what we need."
One COVID-19-positive person at the Saturday afternoon mass gathering could be all it takes to squander the gains made,Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton warned earlier this week.
with AAP