Thousands of Aboriginal rights campaigners demonstrated their opposition across Australia today over the Western Australian Government's plans to close down their rural communities.

Photo: Kelly Te Paa

More than 70 rallies were organised by SOS Black Australia in every state and territory capital and other regional towns.

It delivered a message to both the Federal and Western Australia Governments that Indigenous people were not happy with their plans to shut down their remote communities. Protesters responded by marching in solidarity in places such as Townsville in northern Queensland.

Although there were fewer than 200 people who took part in what was an incident-free event, they were conspicuous enough for the Townsville community to notice them.

However, in Western Australia the scene wasn't as peaceful.

Aboriginal rights campaigners clashed with police on Heirisson Island as officers moved in on a protest camp to issue eviction notices and arrested three Aboriginal elders.

Among the hundreds at that protest camp were also a number of white Australians who accused the police of being heavy-handed.

Protests have also been held in New Zealand, with around 100 people gathering in Dunedin this afternoon.

The peaceful protest featured live music and speakers including Puketeraki Marae Upoko David Ellison, and Green Party MP Mojo Mathers.

People in the crowd said it was not just an Australian issue.