Thousands of protesters gathered for the "March for Humanity," causing major disruptions across Sydney and drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian Demonstration Shuts Down Sydney Harbour Bridge
Pro-Palestinian Demonstration Shuts Down Sydney Harbour Bridge
Historic protest authorized by Supreme Court coincides with significant turnout amidst heavy rainfall.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge became the site of a pro-Palestinian march, termed a “historic” event by organizers, after the Supreme Court approved it just one day prior. The protest, named the March for Humanity, attracted thousands despite adverse weather conditions, including torrential rain.
Among the notable crowd was WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, alongside federal MP Ed Husic and former NSW Premier Bob Carr. The last time the bridge was closed for a public event was earlier in 2023, when around 50,000 participated in a World Pride march.
About two hours into the event, attendees received a message from NSW Police instructing them to cease movement northward for safety reasons and to return in a controlled manner towards the city. Police have not issued any official crowd estimates. In light of the protest, Transport for NSW advised motorists to steer clear of the city due to expected delays and significant disruptions to road and public transport networks.
The Palestine Action Group, a Sydney-based activism organization, had initially submitted a notice of intention for the bridge march last Sunday in response to what they deemed the "atrocity" in Gaza. The police initially denied this application, citing inadequate preparation time for traffic management and raising safety concerns regarding potential crowd crushes.
The following day, NSW Premier Chris Minns voiced opposition to allowing such a large-scale protest, stating it could lead to chaos in Sydney. However, the police's request for a prohibition order was dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court just a day before the protest was set to take place. Justice Belinda Rigg acknowledged that while safety concerns were valid, the urgency to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza was compelling.
Consequently, she mandated the closure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounding roads to vehicles, protecting attendees under the Summary Offences Act from charges related to public assembly.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed disappointment over the court's greenlight for the protest on social media. Amidst this backdrop, Australia faces increasing pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood, especially as nations like France, Canada, and the UK are signaling similar intentions ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that Australia must prioritize achieving lasting security for Israel before considering the recognition of Palestinian statehood, insisting that external pressures will not hasten the decision.
The rising tide of sentiments expressed during the march and related discussions reflects the evolving landscape of public opinion on these pressing foreign policy issues.
Among the notable crowd was WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, alongside federal MP Ed Husic and former NSW Premier Bob Carr. The last time the bridge was closed for a public event was earlier in 2023, when around 50,000 participated in a World Pride march.
About two hours into the event, attendees received a message from NSW Police instructing them to cease movement northward for safety reasons and to return in a controlled manner towards the city. Police have not issued any official crowd estimates. In light of the protest, Transport for NSW advised motorists to steer clear of the city due to expected delays and significant disruptions to road and public transport networks.
The Palestine Action Group, a Sydney-based activism organization, had initially submitted a notice of intention for the bridge march last Sunday in response to what they deemed the "atrocity" in Gaza. The police initially denied this application, citing inadequate preparation time for traffic management and raising safety concerns regarding potential crowd crushes.
The following day, NSW Premier Chris Minns voiced opposition to allowing such a large-scale protest, stating it could lead to chaos in Sydney. However, the police's request for a prohibition order was dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court just a day before the protest was set to take place. Justice Belinda Rigg acknowledged that while safety concerns were valid, the urgency to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza was compelling.
Consequently, she mandated the closure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounding roads to vehicles, protecting attendees under the Summary Offences Act from charges related to public assembly.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed disappointment over the court's greenlight for the protest on social media. Amidst this backdrop, Australia faces increasing pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood, especially as nations like France, Canada, and the UK are signaling similar intentions ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that Australia must prioritize achieving lasting security for Israel before considering the recognition of Palestinian statehood, insisting that external pressures will not hasten the decision.
The rising tide of sentiments expressed during the march and related discussions reflects the evolving landscape of public opinion on these pressing foreign policy issues.
