BREAKING: The NSW Supreme Court has just authorized a pro-Palestinian rally across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, defying police attempts to ban the event on public safety grounds. The decision, made by Justice Belinda Rigg, allows thousands of protesters to march this Sunday, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The court ruling represents a significant victory for the Palestinian Action Group Sydney and supporters, who are mobilizing to draw attention to what the United Nations calls “worsening famine conditions” in the region. Protesters will gather in the CBD before marching across the iconic bridge to North Sydney.
The court’s decision comes as a crucial moment for activists, with Justice Rigg rejecting the police commissioner’s arguments that the rally would cause undue disruption. “It is in the very nature of the entitlement to peaceful protest that disruption will be caused to others,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of the protesters’ rights.
Support for the rally has surged, with backing from numerous organizations, including Amnesty International and various trade unions. Prominent public figures, such as former Socceroo Craig Foster, have also lent their voices to the cause. The decision grants legal protections to participants, safeguarding them from potential charges related to obstructing traffic or pedestrians.
“This is a win for humanity against the anti-protest Minns Labor government,” stated NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson. She added, “The court was crystal clear that a protest being inconvenient does not mean it can be stopped. Tomorrow, our iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge will speak to the world.”
In Melbourne, solidarity protests are set to occur, with demonstrators planning to rally through the city’s CBD as part of a coordinated effort to raise awareness for the cause.
Recent polling indicates that over 60 percent of Australians are calling for tougher government actions to address Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. A YouGov survey commissioned by the Australian Alliance for Peace and Human Rights revealed that many believe the Prime Minister’s condemnations have not gone far enough. “While the government has recently signed a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire, 61 percent of Australians believe this is not enough,” the alliance reported.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated, with local health authorities reporting over 60,000 Palestinians killed, including more than 17,000 children, amid ongoing conflict that began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. The continued blockade of aid has exacerbated the starvation crisis, prompting increasing calls for action from citizens across Australia.
As the protest draws near, all eyes will be on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday, with participants ready to assert their right to peaceful assembly and call for urgent humanitarian intervention. Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds.
