A pro-Palestinian demonstration proceeded across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, following authorization from the Supreme Court just a day prior. Organizers hailed the decision as “historic.”
Despite inclement weather, tens of thousands participated in the “March for Humanity,” many carrying placards urging politicians to halt the ongoing conflict.
Among the protesters was WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, alongside notable figures such as federal MP Ed Husic and former NSW Premier Bob Carr.
The last closure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a public assembly occurred in 2023, when approximately 50,000 individuals marched for World Pride.
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Shame shame Israel, shame shame USA,” and “What do we want? Ceasefire. When do we want it? Now.”
Families, including those with young children, were present to support the peaceful demonstration. Law enforcement officers from the riot squad were stationed across the bridge.
“I know it’s the other side of the world but it affects us here massively as well,” said Alec Beville, comparing children in Gaza to his three-year-old son. “We could be helping a lot more with aid.”
Zara Williams, carrying her baby, Avery, stated, “Our government hasn’t put any decent sanctions on Israel. We [Australia] just can’t do nothing while there’s a forced starvation of an entire population.”
Approximately two hours into the march, attendees received a text message from NSW Police stating: “In consultation with the organisers, the march needs to stop due to public safety and await further instructions.”
The message requested that all participants on the bridge cease walking north and return toward the city in a “controlled” manner.
Police estimate that approximately 90,000 individuals participated in Sunday’s demonstration.
Transport for NSW advised motorists to avoid the city, warning of significant delays and disruptions across Sydney’s road and public transport network as a result of the protest.
The Sydney-based Palestine Action Group submitted a notice of intention to march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge last Sunday, citing the “atrocity” in Gaza.
Police initially rejected the application, citing insufficient time to prepare a traffic management plan and potential crowd crush and other safety concerns.
In a statement the following day, NSW Premier Chris Minns stated that the government could not allow Sydney to “descend into chaos” and could not support a protest of “this scale and nature” on the bridge.
Police subsequently applied to the NSW Supreme Court for a prohibition order, which was denied just 24 hours before the scheduled protest.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Justice Belinda Rigg acknowledged the “well founded” safety concerns regarding the march, but stated that organizer Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group had “compellingly” explained the need for an urgent response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Justice Rigg stated that there was no evidence that a prohibition order would enhance public safety, and ordered the closure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to vehicles, along with roads surrounding the proposed route.
The last-minute authorization provides attendees with protection under the Summary Offences Act, preventing charges for offenses specifically related to public assembly, such as obstructing traffic.
In a statement published on Instagram, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed “disappointment” with the Supreme Court’s decision to authorize the protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Australia has been under increasing pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood, following indications from France, Canada, and the UK that they would do so with conditions at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.
Speaking on ABC’s 7.30 programme, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that he wants to see conditions met that achieve lasting security for Israel before Australia commits to recognizing a Palestinian state.
He added that he would not be pressured into the decision by other nations.
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir prayed at Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque compound, violating a decades-old arrangement.
The government says it is working “at pace” on plans to evacuate seriously ill or injured children from Gaza.
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