Australia Day 'Invasion' protest turns violent

As thousands of Australians took to the streets to protest the date of Australia Day, chaos erupted outside Redfern station as chants and marching quickly turned violent as protesters clashed with police.

The young man was accused of assaulting police, resisting arrest and malicious damage after officers were forced to intervene at Ultimo when a “peaceful” march from Redfern to the Sydney CBD turned violent.

During a brief struggle a woman sustained a head injury and an officer injured his ankle after an Australian flag was set alight. They were both taken to hospital and are in a stable condition, according to police.

"Importantly, this was an isolated incident in an otherwise peaceful demonstration; overall, police were pleased with the behaviour of the crowd," Acting Assistant Commissioner Stewart said in a statement.

“Overwhelmingly, considering the significant crowds enjoying festivities today, the vast majority celebrated safely, which made for a family-friendly day for everyone.”

The 20-year-old man arrested has been granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday February 14.

There were 96 people arrested and charged throughout the state yesterday, for a range of offences including assault, resist arrest, offensive behaviour, drink-driving, drug possession and malicious damage, police said.

With “f**k Aussie pride” written on one man’s back and others brandishing metal poles, footage showed protestors fighting police in the inner-Sydney suburb.

Prior to the fight many protestors were draped in Aboriginal flags as they gathered in Redfern to hear speeches denouncing the celebration of Australia Day.

"It is a national disgrace to have a holiday on Australia Day - a day which marked the beginning of genocide", organiser Dave Bell told the crowd.

Several thousand people, chanting slogans such as "Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land" marched through the inner city on Thursday from Redfern to Victoria Park.

Mr Bell, from indigenous group FIRE which helped organise the event, said the arrival of the First Fleet 229 years ago marked the start of genocide rather than the birth of a nation.

"Since 1788 we've been fighting and it's a national disgrace to have a holiday on Australia Day - a day which marked the beginning of genocide", he told AAP.

"There's a lot of sadness attached to that day. Let's all sit down together and come up with a day which will help us move forward."

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon tweeted that 10,000 people took part in the march - but police only confirmed "thousands" had attended.

In a separate incident Police on Wednesday night were alerted to a group of people allegedly burning the Australian flag on a road in the inner-Sydney suburb of Newtown.

Locals recorded vision of the group spray painting the Aboriginal flag onto the footpath, then setting the Australian flag alight.

While burning the Australian flag isn't an offence, police were concerned about the potential impact of the fire, a police spokeswoman said on Thursday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian described the violence at the protest as disappointing. She said everybody had a right to protest but Australia Day was about unity.

"I'm so disappointed people couldn't express themselves in a more appropriate way on such an important day," she told reporters.

Ms Berejiklian said there were 364 other days of the year to debate changing Australia's national day.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told 7 News "The Australian flag should be honoured, not desecrated."

Meanwhile in Melbourne, a more diplomatic protest took place with thousands flocking to Flinders Street where just days earlier the driver accused of killing five people did doughnuts outside the iconic station.

In the build up to the much awaited day, social media users joined the fight against the increasingly controversial date.

While Melbourne's CBD protesters were vocal, they remained calm.

In Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne, protesters marched through the streets in a peaceful sign of solidarity.