WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — As tens of thousands of people filled the streets of New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, on Tuesday, the crowd, flags flying, had the air of a festival or a parade rather than a demonstration.

They were marching to oppose a law that reshape the county’s founding treaty between indigenous Maori and the British Crown. But for many, it was also the celebration of a resurgence of indigenous language and identity that colonization had once almost destroyed.

“I’m just fighting for the rights that our tūpuna, our ancestors, fought for,” Shanell Bob said as he waited for the march to begin. “We’re fighting for our tamariki, for our mokopuna, so they can have what we couldn’t have,” she added, using the Maori words for children and grandchildren.

What was likely the country’s largest-ever demonstration in support of Maori rights – a subject that has preoccupied modern New Zealand for much of its young history – followed a long tradition of peaceful marches across the country which marked turning points in the history of the nation.

“We’re going for a walk!” “” an organizer proclaimed from the stage as the crowd gathered at the opposite end of town from the national parliament. People had come from all over the country over the past nine days.

For many, the turnout reflects growing solidarity from non-Māori in support of indigenous rights. At bus stops during the usual morning commute, people of all ages and races waited with flags of Māori sovereignty. Some local schools said they would not record students as absent. The city’s mayor joined the demonstration.

The bill protesters oppose is unpopular and unlikely to become law. But opposition to the plan has been widespread, which protesters say reflects a growing awareness of the Treaty of Waitangi’s promises to Māori among New Zealanders – and a mild but loud response from of those angered by attempts by courts and lawmakers to hold them.

Māori marching for their rights is nothing new. But the crowds were larger than at previous treaty marches and the mood changed, Indigenous people said.

“It’s different from when I was a kid,” Bob said. “We are stronger now, our tamariki are stronger now, they know who they are, they are proud of who they are.”

As protesters moved through the streets of Wellington to the sounds of Maori haka – rhythmic chants – and waiata, or chants, thousands more holding signs lined the sidewalk in a show of support.

Some placards carried jokes or insults aimed at lawmakers responsible for the bill, which would change the meaning of the principles of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi and prevent them from applying only to Māori – whose leaders signed the document during the colonization of New Zealand.

But others read “proud to be Māori” or acknowledge the wearer’s heritage as a non-Māori person supporting the protest. Some have denounced the widespread expropriation of Māori land during colonization, one of the main grievances arising from the treaty.

“The treaty is a document that allows us to be here in Aotearoa, so maintaining it and respecting it is really important,” said Ben Ogilvie, who is of Pākehā or New Zealand European descent, using the Māori name for the country . “I hate what this government is doing to tear it down.”

Police estimated that 42,000 people attempted to gather in the Parliament grounds, some of whom spilled into the surrounding streets. People crowded onto the children’s slide on the lawn to get a vantage point; others perched in trees. The tone was almost joyful; As people waited to leave the cramped area, some sang Maori songs that most New Zealanders learn at school.

A sea of ​​Maori sovereignty flags in red, black and white stretched across the lawn and streets. But protesters also carried Samoan, Tongan, Indigenous Australian, American, Palestinian and Israeli flags. In Parliament, speeches by political leaders focused attention on the reason for the protest: a bill that would change the meaning of the words of the country’s founding treaty, consolidate them into law and extend them to everyone.

Its author, libertarian lawmaker David Seymour – who is Māori – says the process of redress after decades of Crown violations of its treaty with Māori has created special treatment for indigenous people, which he opposes.

Critics of the bill say it would cause constitutional upheaval, dilute indigenous rights and provoke divisive rhetoric towards Māori – who are still disadvantaged on almost every social and economic measure, despite attempts by courts and legislators over recent decades to rectify the inequalities caused. largely by treaty violations.

It is not expected to become law, but Seymour struck a political deal that allowed it to pass an initial vote last Thursday. In a statement released Tuesday, he said the public can now provide comments on the bill, which he hopes will enjoy overwhelming support.

Seymour briefly visited the grounds of Parliament to observe the protest, although he was not among the lawmakers invited to speak. Some in the crowd booed him.

The protest was “a long time coming”, said Papa Heta, one of the protesters, who said Māori were seeking recognition and respect.

“We hope to be able to unite with our Pākehā friends, the Europeans,” he added. “Unfortunately, there are those who make decisions that put us in a difficult situation.”