BREAKING: The NSW Supreme Court has just confirmed that a pro-Palestinian march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge will proceed as planned this Sunday, October 15, 2023. This ruling allows thousands of demonstrators to voice their opposition to the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, amidst reports of dire humanitarian conditions.
Judge Belinda Rigg dismissed concerns raised by NSW Police, who sought to block the protest citing potential public safety risks and the scale of the event. In her ruling, Justice Rigg emphasized, “It is in the nature of peaceful protests to cause disruption to others,” rejecting arguments that the rally would lead to unacceptable disruption on the bridge.
The march is expected to draw thousands of supporters, galvanizing activists from across Australia, including prominent public figures like former Socceroo Craig Foster and a coalition of 15 NSW parliamentarians led by Labor MPs Lynda Voltz, Stephen Lawrence, Sarah Kaine, Cameron Murphy, and Anthony D’Adam. They stand in solidarity with the demonstrators, advocating for what the United Nations describes as “worsening famine conditions” in Gaza.
The Palestine Action Group had urged the court to allow the demonstration, warning that suppressing the protest could lead to potential violence. They stated, “We do so to signal in strong terms our disapproval of the ongoing starvation of Palestinian people and the destruction of Gaza, and our commitment to the right to protest against it.”
In a related development, protesters in Melbourne are preparing for their own rally in the CBD, aiming to march towards the King Street Bridge, mirroring the Sydney event.
A last-minute counter-protest application by a pro-Israel fringe group was lodged with police but was promptly withdrawn, ensuring the focus remains on the main march.
As preparations intensify, the atmosphere is charged, with many expressing deep emotional investment in the cause. The outcome of this legal battle underscores the contentious nature of the protests and the critical voices advocating for change.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
