HUNDREDS of protesters are expected to bring Bendigo's CBD to a standstill later this month, as they rally against the forced closure of remote indigenous communities.
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The May 15 rally will be the second in Bendigo this year and follows on from a bigger event in Melbourne on Friday which saw thousands of protesters shut down parts of the city.
Protesters have been asked to gather at Rosalind Park about 4.30pm before moving onto the stretch of road at the intersection of Pall Mall and View Street about 5.30pm.
Once on the road, they will stage an hour-long sit in.
Keagan James, rally co-organiser, said 300 to 500 people were expected to attend the rally to show solidarity for those against the removal of Aboriginal people from communities in Western Australia.
"It will be a peaceful rally but also fiery. We want to be heard," Mr James said.
"We want to raise awareness of what is going on in Western Australia. We want people to know that this is a human issue. It's not a white or black issue.
"It's people's lives that we are talking about and their connection to the land."
In November last year, Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett said the state had no option but to act after the federal government announced that it would cease to fund essential services in remote Indigenous communities.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott attracted widespread criticism when he supported the idea by asserting that "it's not the job of the taxpayer to subsidise lifestyle choices".
Mr James said what the Western Australian government was doing was an act of "genocide".
"They have set up a camp at Heirisson Island for people affected by the (closures) who have nowhere else to go. These people have become refugees in their own country," Mr James said.
"Rangers, council and the police are coming in on a regular basis and tearing them down. Houses are being bulldozed and water and power shut off. It's genocide and hasn't been done to any other communities."
Mr James said the rally would include speeches and a smoking ceremony. He said everyone was welcome to attend.
He said it was organised as part of a national call to action.