BREAKING: A pro-Palestinian group has formally applied to close Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge on August 24 for a mass rally, aiming to mobilize at least 7,000 people in a demonstration reminiscent of last weekend’s significant protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This planned event will disrupt a crucial arterial road, potentially causing major traffic delays for hours in the heart of Brisbane.
Organizers from Justice for Palestine are requesting the bridge closure to facilitate a protest march spanning 1.5 kilometers from Raymond Park to Centenary Place. They emphasize that this rally is part of a “national day of action,” aiming to symbolize solidarity with Palestine. In a recent newsletter, the group hailed the Sydney rally as a “historic march for Palestine” and expressed confidence in their ability to gather significant crowds.
“Hundreds of students have walked off their campuses in solidarity with Palestine, and we will not be silent,” the newsletter stated. The group criticized Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrien Schrinner for previously lighting the bridge in colors representing Israel, arguing that the protest is a vital mobilization for their cause.
Queensland Police have confirmed they received the application and are currently assessing it. A spokesperson stated, “The QPS recognizes that every person has the right to peacefully assemble under the Human Rights Act and Peaceful Assembly Act.” However, this is not the first time a protest has been proposed for the Story Bridge; earlier this year, a demonstration was blocked by police due to concerns over public safety.
Queensland’s Premier David Crisafulli commented on the situation, insisting that police will evaluate the application independently. “Shutting down a city is no way to endear Queenslanders to your cause,” he remarked.
Opposition to the protest is mounting, particularly from the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, which warned that such demonstrations could escalate tensions. “The Story Bridge should not be hijacked for protests that promote divisive messages,” their statement read, urging organizers to focus on humanitarian concerns instead.
In light of the recent Sydney protest, where initial police estimates of 50,000 attendees were later revised to over 90,000, Brisbane authorities are on high alert. The city’s largest recorded protest remains the 2003 anti-Iraq War rally, which attracted around 100,000 people.
As the application process unfolds, both the police and community members are watching closely. Authorities are expected to make a decision soon, and the potential for significant disruption looms as the date approaches.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
