Melbourne, June 7 (RHC)-- Thousands of demonstrators held mostly peaceful protests across Australia over the weekend to honour the memory of George Floyd and to protest the deaths of indigenous Australians in custody. 

Black Lives Matter protesters poured into downtown Melbourne amid a strong police presence, with aerial footage showing the true scale of the march.  

Organizers of the protest noted that Indigenous Australians make up two percent of the adult population but 27 percent of the prison population.

In Adelaide, crowds filled the city's Victoria Square after police gave special permission for the event to proceed despite COVID-19 restrictions.  The march through the city was held after the police commissioner approved the rally on Friday.

South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Peter Harvey said he was "very pleased" with how the "exceptionally good behaviour by everyone who was here today."

Organizers of Australia's Black Lives Matter rallies said about 30,000 people gathered in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, forcing police to close down two major streets.  The rally appeared orderly as police handed out masks to protesters and other officials provided hand sanitisers.