Despite adverse weather and police concerns, a significant turnout marked a historic pro-Palestine demonstration in Sydney, culminating in the closure of the iconic Harbour Bridge.
Pro-Palestine Protest Takes Over Sydney Harbour Bridge Amid Heavy Rain
Pro-Palestine Protest Takes Over Sydney Harbour Bridge Amid Heavy Rain
Tens of thousands join "March for Humanity" as legal battles delay protest amidst safety concerns.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge became the focal point of a pro-Palestine demonstration on Sunday, as organizers claimed it was a "historic" event authorized by the Supreme Court just a day earlier. Thousands of participants braved torrential rain for the "March for Humanity," which saw the presence of notable figures including WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, federal MP Ed Husic, and former NSW Premier Bob Carr.
The assembly resulted in the bridge's closure, a rare occurrence since a similar event for World Pride in January, which drew an estimated 50,000 participants. Two hours into the demonstration, NSW Police issued a text instructing marchers to halt their progress north and return to the city in a controlled manner due to public safety concerns, although no crowd size estimates were provided.
Palestine Action Group, the Sydney-based activist organization behind the march, had filed for permission to protest on the bridge last week, citing ongoing humanitarian issues in Gaza. Initially, their application was rejected by police over insufficient time for traffic management planning. Premier Chris Minns voiced his concerns, stating that allowing such a large-scale protest could lead to chaos in Sydney.
A police push for a prohibition order was denied by the NSW Supreme Court, which ultimately decided the march could proceed. Justice Belinda Rigg expressed that while safety concerns were valid, the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza warranted the protest. Following this ruling, all attendees were granted protection under the Summary Offences Act, ensuring they would not face charges for blocking traffic.
In response to the court's decision, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed disappointment. Meanwhile, Australia faces increasing international pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, with nations such as France, Canada, and the UK signaling their intentions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that any recognition would be contingent upon ensuring security measures for Israel are fulfilled, indicating a desire for careful deliberation amidst global expectations.
The assembly resulted in the bridge's closure, a rare occurrence since a similar event for World Pride in January, which drew an estimated 50,000 participants. Two hours into the demonstration, NSW Police issued a text instructing marchers to halt their progress north and return to the city in a controlled manner due to public safety concerns, although no crowd size estimates were provided.
Palestine Action Group, the Sydney-based activist organization behind the march, had filed for permission to protest on the bridge last week, citing ongoing humanitarian issues in Gaza. Initially, their application was rejected by police over insufficient time for traffic management planning. Premier Chris Minns voiced his concerns, stating that allowing such a large-scale protest could lead to chaos in Sydney.
A police push for a prohibition order was denied by the NSW Supreme Court, which ultimately decided the march could proceed. Justice Belinda Rigg expressed that while safety concerns were valid, the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza warranted the protest. Following this ruling, all attendees were granted protection under the Summary Offences Act, ensuring they would not face charges for blocking traffic.
In response to the court's decision, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed disappointment. Meanwhile, Australia faces increasing international pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, with nations such as France, Canada, and the UK signaling their intentions. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that any recognition would be contingent upon ensuring security measures for Israel are fulfilled, indicating a desire for careful deliberation amidst global expectations.
