Anti-racism rallies held across Australia

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting across Australia in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, BBC reported. 

The marches were inspired by the death of African American George Floyd in police custody.

However, protesters were also highlighting the mistreatment and marginalization of Australia's Aboriginal people.

Protesters were ready to defy a ban in Sydney, but it was overturned at the last minute by a court of appeal.

Rallies have also been organized in Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and elsewhere.

Although Floyd's death sparked the rallies in Minneapolis, many in Australia were also protesting against the police's treatment of its indigenous population.

Banners reading "I can't breathe" remembered Floyd's words before his death, while another said: "Same story, different soil."

Organizers across Australia encouraged those attending rallies to use hand sanitizers and observe social distancing.

Images showed that although the majority of demonstrators have been wearing face coverings, many of the protesters have been close together.

The protesters were enraged by the death of George Floyd after a white police officer knelt on his neck while he was in custody, allegedly killing him. Minneapolis police say Floyd resembled a suspect wanted for allegedly trying to spend a counterfeit $20 bill in a food store. Police say he had resisted arrest. Bystanders captured the scene on cellphone video as officers detained Floyd. The video went viral when posted online.

"Please, please, please, I can't breathe. Please, man," Floyd pleaded while being detained by a white police officer. According to the cellphone video, the officer held Floyd on the ground and knelt on his neck. Floyd was handcuffed.