Organisers of a Melbourne rally, calling for urgent action to address violence in Burma, were expecting hundreds of people to march through the city.
The peaceful protest was one of 26 happening around the world at noon (AEST) calling for international action on the situation in Burma, where the ruling military junta last week cracked down on demonstrating monks and civilians who called for an end to the regime.
Marches will also take place on Saturday in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Alison Tate from the Australian Burma Network said she was expecting hundreds to march in Melbourne's centre but was hoping for thousands more to support it.
Ms Tate said the protest aimed to highlight to people in Burma, including the military regime, that the violent repression was of great concern to the international community.
Rally organisers were also calling on the Australian government and other United Nations member countries to take action.
"We feel it's upon the international community that the UN and all the governments who are members of the UN do their utmost to pressure the regime to ensure a peaceful transfer to democracy," Ms Tate said.
Protesters in Melbourne will scatter flowers in the Yarra River in memory of those killed in Burma, before marching along Swanston Street to the State Library of Victoria.
International concern has heightened over the past week as Burma's security forces cracked down on demonstrators.
The government said 10 people were killed and nearly 2,100 arrested in last week's demonstrations but there are fears the death toll could be much higher, with hundreds of monks seized by the military.
International Day of Action for a Free Burma
Saturday 6th October 2007 -- Support the Monks in Burma @ 12 NOON in every major city across the world.
We are marching in solidarity with the monks and the people of Burma who risk their lives everyday for freedom and democracy.
Watch the current SBS news on Burma
