Hundreds of protesters have gathered near the U.S. Pine Gap intelligence base in Australia’s Northern Territory, demanding the closure of the facility.
The two-day protest also called for the land on which the base is located to be returned to the Arrernte people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area.
About 300 people reportedly assembled near the front of the base during the main rally.
A smaller protest was also held on Tuesday, continuing the call for the facility to be shut down.
Pine Gap is located near Alice Springs in central Australia.
The base was established in 1966 by the United States Central Intelligence Agency and Australia’s Department of Defence.
The facility is highly classified and is widely reported to support satellite-based surveillance and intelligence operations.
It is also said to provide information used in surveillance and targeting for U.S. military activities.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the latest protest was the largest rally held at the site since 1987.
David Shoebridge, a federal senator from the Greens party, joined the protest and criticised the presence of the facility.
He described Pine Gap as a foreign military base operating on Australian land.
Shoebridge said the base served foreign military interests and raised concerns about compliance with international law.
The protest drew renewed attention to long-running concerns about Australia’s role in U.S. intelligence and military operations.
Activists at the rally argued that the facility should be closed and the land restored to its traditional custodians.
Northern Territory Police said two people, aged 19 and 34, were arrested during the second rally.
Police said the arrests were linked to disorderly conduct after protesters allegedly used a vehicle to block the main road leading to the base.
The demonstration highlights continuing debate in Australia over sovereignty, Indigenous land rights and the country’s defence relationship with the United States.
