The Black Lives Matter rally held at Spinks Park today saw a large crowd, in excess of the legal 500 number outlined by the NSW State Government for outdoor events, gather in the streets of the CBD.

The rally started at 12:30 with the numbers of supporters increasing until they filled the Magellan Street roundabout and were standing on both sides of Molesworth Street. Police ultimately closed access to Molesworth Street from Woodlark and Conway Streets.

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Led by local Widjabul Wybal woman Cindy Roberts and popular Nimbin artist Gilbert Laurie who belongs to the Yaegl and Widjabul tribes, the message was to end injustice and racism so we can more forward as a united nation.

The 432 aboriginals deaths in custody was acknowledged and the point made that "there has been no justice for any of those deaths, not one perpetrator charged, nobody convicted".

"We are asking for justice, we are asking for no more racism, to stop racism within the system".

There was often applause and cheers from the large crowd throughout the talks.

As is the case in America our local police force was sent a message "You have good coppers and bad but it's up to the good ones to say to the bad ones enough is enough. Tell them no because thats where it starts in your organisation".

The overall tone of the rally was the acknowledgement that just being born Aboriginal put a target on your back within a racist system.

"We have lost so many young lives. What about white lives, we matter, yeah you matter, all you other nationalities, yes you matter but when you're black you don't know what it's like to be black and in a system of racism. You don't know what it's like to be targeted everyday of your life because of the colour of your skin.

"We stand today in solidarity with America because we know their pain, because we feel it and go through it everyday".

This reference was to the recent death of African American George Floyd who was killed by a member of the Minneapolis police force while other members watched. His death was recorded and the video went viral around the world.

"We live in the year 2020 and we are still asking for justice and still asking for change, shame, shame, shame on you."

Nimbin artist Gilbert Laurie spoke of education, "for me it's a privilege to go and teach in our schools, teach our language, teach our stories also teach our heart".

"The paintings we leave is for all of us, they bring us together, that's what I teach in schools the next generation. There's no division, theres no racism, it's all about us coming together and walking together as one."

While the rally today became illegal as the numbers grew to above 500, the organisers were passing around hand sanitiser with most people wearing masks.

The Lismore Police Force were visible throughout the rally but keeping to themselves, watching proceedings and controlling traffic.

Cindy told the Lismore App that more people turned up for the rally than she expected, "I hope we continue to stand in solidarity, peace and love", Cindy said.