It was a poignant reminder of the many US police shootings of black Americans that have triggered a worldwide response.

But for the thousand-strong crowd who marched in a Black Lives Matter rally in Melbourne on Sunday, concerns about racism went further than police brutality.

As well as showing support for the US #BlackLivesMatter movement, organisers wanted to highlight Indigenous Australian deaths in custody and the dispossession of people of colour in the region; including those living in West Papua, speakers told the crowd.

Speaking at the rally, Aboriginal woman Yarramun Conole said indigenous people were over-represented in the justice system, and still suffering the intergenerational effects of colonisation.

"The government really doesn't care for black lives in this country. For 200 years we have lived under genocide."

Ms Conole spoke about the death of Aboriginal woman Miss Dhu, who died in custody when she was incarcerated for unpaid fines, and how frustrated she felt when non-indigenous peers told her she should "just get over it".

"How can we just get over 200 years of colonialism and continuing black racism?" she said.

"It's time we brought the black lives matter movement to Australia to affirm that our lives matter. We are the people who are most vulnerable in this country."

There was a large police presence in response to fears of violence from a counter-protest by masked members of the United Patriots Front.

A small group of masked protesters briefly unfurled a "Blue Lives Matter" banner on the steps of the State Library, referring to the recent shootings of police officers in Dallas, Texas.

Police on the ground confirmed that between 12 to 15 United Patriots Front members were at the State Library but left before the larger protest began.

The Black Lives Matter rally made its way down Swanston Street to Flinders Street Station after speeches outside the State Library of Victoria. 

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The Melbourne rally followed a similar event in Sydney on Saturday.

The rally comes after the shooting death of two US men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, at the hands of police.

What they said

Mustafa Mohiadin. 

Mustafa Mohiadin

I'm always getting stopped by the police - three or four times in the past week. They say are where are you going? What are you doing? They assume you have a record, especially because of all the Apex stuff. I go to East Preston Islamic College. I've been watching the Black Lives stuff from the US. It's mad, people assuming everyone has a weapon.

Cyndi Makabory and Han Nguyen. 

Cyndi Makabory and Han Nguyen

Cyndi

​People in Australia need to understand that people of colour feel like we are being marginalised. Sometimes when I walk around I can feel the tension between black and white people, the 'us and them' vibe. On the tram there's always empty seats around me because there's still a generation of older white people who are scared.

Han

I can't believe it's 2016 and it's still happening.

Cyndi

It's a big thing, especially as a West Papuan. In west Papua people are being targeted by Indonesians. But my best friend is Asian (hugs Han). Australians don't want to talk about racism if you try to discuss it.

Mehret Mekonnen (far right) with friends. 

Mehret Mekonnen

​There's always someone watching you. Sometimes I will see a crime happening and it's done by a group of people from all different backgrounds but they'll always single out the black person.

Wav Kariuki and Donna Qura. 

Wav Kariuki

I don't get targeted to the extent of some people, younger black men in particular. But I do get told 'you're so articulate for an African Australian'. Or, 'Wow, you went to uni'. It's like a backhanded
compliment.

Donna Qura
I think we have a big problem with racism in this country. My husband is Fijian, and he was punched in the face, unprovoked. And afterwards they said 'We thought he was an Aboriginal'. No person should be punched because of the colour of their skin.