Thousands march in Sydney in pro-Palestinian protest — as it happened

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1 month ago3 Aug 6:03pm

That's a wrap

We are concluding our coverage of today's pro-Palestinian protests in Sydney and Melbourne. Here is a recap of what happened today:

This afternoon, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge turned into a sea of people spotlighting the suffering in Gaza, as the bridge closed from 11.30am to about 5pm.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who has seldom been seen in public since his release from a UK prison in June, was spotted at the rally in Sydney. He was accompanied by former Labor minister Bob Carr.
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, former Australian of the Year Craig Foster, federal Labor MP Ed Husic and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore also attended the protest.
Josh Lees, from the protest organiser Palestine Action Group, told SBS News hundreds of thousands attended today's protest. NSW Police acting assistant commissioner Adam Johnson said the police's current estimate was that around 90,000 people had attended the event.
About two hours after the march started, NSW Police issued various statements urging the protesters to "stop walking north", citing "safety issues". Geo-targeting alerts were sent to the people in the area.
In a press conference after the march, NSW Police acting deputy commissioner Peter McKenna said most Sydney marchers were "very well behaved" but added that at certain points police "were really concerned about a crowd crush".
Protesters also gathered at the State Library in Melbourne to rally in solidarity with the protesters in Sydney, planning to march down to the King Street Bridge. However, they had to leave the King Street bridge, which police had blockaded in advance of their arrival.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

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1 month ago3 Aug 5:39pm

Police praise 'very well behaved' protesters despite crowd-crush concerns

NSW Police acting deputy commissioner Peter McKenna has said most Sydney marchers were "very well behaved" but added that at certain points police "were really concerned about a crowd crush".

Giving context to the decision earlier today to turn the march back across the Harbour Bridge, McKenna said police couldn’t allow all attendees to exit from the northern end of the bridge without risk of a crowd crush.

He acknowledged the orders "did cause some confusion" but said the police operation was an overall success as no attendees or police were hurt.

"But gee whizz, I wouldn't like to try and do this every Sunday at that short notice," he added.

"There's a reason we need time to plan these things out, and I think going forward into the future, that has to be taken into consideration," he added.

Police 'scrambling' as pro-Palestinian Sydney Harbour Bridge march gets green light

NSW Police acting assistant commissioner Adam Johnson said the police's current estimate was that around 90,000 people had attended the event.

McKenna said the march was "certainly the largest one both Adam and I have seen in our time here in Sydney", adding that he had "grave concerns" about a similarly sized protest taking place in the future at such short notice.

– Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 4:59pm

'This is our bridge', protest organiser says

NSW Police's different geo-targeted alerts during the protests have been taken as a sign of the huge number of people who attended the protest by Josh Lees, the protest organiser from the Palestine Action Group.

"We've been told the protest is so big by the police that we are not going to be able to stop where we were planning," he told SBS News earlier today while marching across the Harbour Bridge.

"We are gonna have to march back over the bridge again, which is good. Because this is our bridge, this bridge belongs to the people of Sydney."

Josh Lees says hundreds of thousands attended today's protest. Credit: SBS

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 4:34pm

Police ask protesters to stop the march again

Once again, NSW Police has issued a statement, asking protesters "to stop today's march due to safety issues".

Police told participants to stop proceeding across the bridge to "avoid a crowd crush at the northern end of the harbour bridge".

"Once the procession has come to a halt, protesters will be asked to turn around and walk back toward Wynyard to avoid a risk of injury due to the huge number of people taking part," NSW Police said.

"Police believe the safest route back is to walk back across the bridge given the huge numbers to avoid overwhelming the public transport system and a potential crowd crush scenario."

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 4:31pm

An SBS contributor's account of hunger in Gaza

Today's protest comes amid what numerous humanitarian agencies have described as mass hunger sweeping the Gaza Strip.

International aid organisations issued a number of warnings of stocks running low after Israel cut off all supplies to Gaza in March, then reopened it in May but with new restrictions.

Now, according to UNICEF, "severe malnutrition is spreading among children faster than aid can reach them" in Gaza, citing data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

In recent days, Rakan Abed El Rahman — a regular contributor and camera operator who assists with SBS news-gathering in Gaza — shared a personal account of his daily life.

Israel’s ambassador to Australia was recently called in for a meeting with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade following public statements by diplomats rejecting starvation and famine like conditions in the Gaza.

Earlier this week, Israel's deputy chief of mission held a briefing with Australian journalists at which he said there was no starvation in Gaza, despite international humanitarian agencies and doctors reporting deaths from malnutrition.

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 4:23pm

Thousands on the Harbour Bridge: Sydney rally in photos

As the Sydney Harbour Bridge protests come to an end, here are some photos from the day.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed in both directions from around 11:30am. Source: SBS / Jack Giam

NSW Police released a statement asking protesters to stop walking across the bridge for safety reasons. Source: SBS / Jack Giam

Rally organiser Palestine Action Group intends to draw attention to what the United Nations has described as "worsening famine conditions" in Gaza. Source: SBS / Jack Giam

Organisers have said on Instagram that "hundreds of thousands" of people had joined the demonstration. Source: SBS / Jack Giam

1 month ago3 Aug 4:18pm

Footage from bridge-crossing train shows size of Sydney rally

A video posted on social media site X just before 2:30pm provides some sense of the size of the crowd at the Sydney rally.

The poster of the video, Peter Deppeler, is a content integration producer for the Kyle & Jackie O show on the Australian Radio Network, according to his LinkedIn profile.

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 4:03pm

Melbourne demonstration has left barricaded bridge

Protesters at the Melbourne rally have largely left the King Street bridge, which police had blockaded in advance of their arrival, and are marching back through the CBD.

Police on horseback in front of an orange barrier.

Source: SBS

A man with a Palestinian keffiyeh wrapped around his neck argues with riot police

One protester faced off with riot police, repeatedly yelling "shame on you" at them. Source: SBS

A large group of protesters, many holding Palestinian flags, march down a street.

Source: SBS

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 3:57pm

'I'm here for humanity', Lord Mayor of Sydney says

Clover Moore, Sydney's longest-serving Lord Mayor, has also attended the protests, saying "I'm here for humanity, I'm here for peace and I'm here for democracy".

Moore said: "Discomfort from traffic can't be compared to what is happening in Gaza ... A lot of people saying they are going to march today have never marched before, but they are so shocked about what is happening in Gaza, they are coming out."

Earlier this week, NSW Police said it could not create a safe environment for the rally, and requested a court prohibition order. The request was refused by the NSW Supreme Court's Justice Belinda Rigg on Saturday.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 3:46pm

Police in Sydney call for protesters to 'stop walking north'

NSW Police has issued an alert, asking protesters to "stop walking north".

"A geo-targeting alert has been issued to the Sydney CBD. If you receive a text message from +61 444 444 444, it is NOT a scam," the tweet said.

"After consultation with protest organisers, we are asking everyone to stop walking north. As soon as the march has stopped, we will look at turning everyone around back towards to city but it needs to be done in a controlled way in stages to keep everyone safe."

The force said in an updated post, that due to "public safety issues," police will be "working with protesters to get everyone off the bridge safely, but in a staged matter".

"Please remain calm and follow directions by police," it said.

Protesters in Sydney had already begun crossing the Harbour Bridge.

Organisers have said on Instagram that "hundreds of thousands" of people had joined the demonstration. A NSW Police spokesperson told ABC News they were unable to estimate attendance numbers while the protest was underway.

A large group of protesters crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge carrying a banner reading "March for Humanity. Save Gaza."

Protesters had earlier predicted that tens of thousands would take part in the march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Source: AAP / AAP Image / Dean Lewins

Meanwhile, protesters in Melbourne have now marched down Swanston Street and are along Flinders Street approaching the King Street Bridge.

A group of people drumming at the front of a protest march.

Protesters in Melbourne have begun their march. Source: SBS

Protest organisers Free Palestine Coalition Naarm have said the protest would finish at the bridge but have not publicised what action they intended to take at the intersection.

The ABC has reported that police in riot gear have now barricaded off the bridge.

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 3:22pm

Former NSW premier says if he were in power, he would've 'led the march'

Bob Carr, former Labor minister and NSW premier, is also among the protesters crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He said that if he were in power, he would have "led the march".

"I think people are utterly outraged by the starvation against the civilian population, including babies who are dying. They can't get medicine," he told SBS News.

Previously, NSW Premier Chris Minns said his government would not support a protest of this scale, as part of a demonstration against starvation in Gaza.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 3:21pm

Husic marching alongside other Labor figures in Sydney

Federal Labor backbencher Ed Husic is marching alongside several party colleagues in Sydney.

Husic, who lost his cabinet position in a post-election reshuffle, has called on the Albanese government to speed up its recognition of a Palestinian state.

"There is a deep feeling within the caucus about how right it is to recognise Palestine," he said in late July.

Several people hold up a white banner reading "SANCTION ISRAEL. LABOR FRIENDS OF PALESTINE"

Labor Friends of Palestine including Federal MP Ed Husic, NSW State MPs Stephen Lawrence and Anthony D’Adam gather during the Palestine Action Group's March for Humanity in Sydney. Source: AAP / AAP Image / Farid Farid

Reiterating a long-standing position, the government has said it intends to recognise Palestinian statehood but has laid out several preconditions, including the demilitarisation of Hamas, before this would happen.

Hamas has recently warned it would not disarm unless an independent Palestinian state is established.

Ahead of the march, five NSW Labor MPs had signalled their intention to take part, including upper house MP Stephen Lawrence, who said the event was now "absolutely inevitable, largely because of the way it has been mishandled".

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 3:17pm

Former Australian of the year speaks in Sydney

Craig Foster, former Australian of the Year and retired football player, is also among the speakers at the Sydney protest.

He said: "The world must build, with Australia at the forefront. Australians are a very proud and strong people; we do not bend, we do not break, and despite all the pressure to do so. When the world needs us, we do not look away.

"Let's respond with courage, solidarity, fairness and unyielding strength."

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 3:14pm

'We are not silent,' Faruqi tells crowd

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi is among the speakers at Sydney's rally today. She criticised NSW Premier Chris Minns, who had said his government could not support a protest of this scale taking place, especially at short notice.

"Thank you for defying Chris Minns. This is a man who wants you to stay home and be silent in the face of a genocide," she said.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is considering a case brought by South Africa, considering whether Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This week, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer again rejected genocide accusations.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi joined protesters in Sydney,. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

Faruqi invited Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the "next" protests.

"We are not silent, we will not be silent. Come and hear us roar for Palestine," she said.

Senate condemns Faruqi's 'disrespectful' protest after activist disrupts debate

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 2:52pm

Harbour Bridge to remain closed for a longer period than planned

Due to heightened concerns for public safety, NSW police have decided that protesters can walk back across the Sydney Harbour Bridge once the march reaches the northern end.

"Protesters now have the option of walking to the end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then turning around and walking back to the Sydney CBD, which will be facilitated by specialist tactical police,” Operation Commander Adam Johnson said.

"People who travelled from Sydney’s northern suburbs can leave the group, and North Sydney Train Station will remain open and operating as originally intended, but due to the risk of a potential crowd crush scenario at the train station, we will now provide the third option of allowing protesters to walk back across the Bridge and disperse in the CBD.

"This means the Bridge will remain closed for a longer period than originally planned, until the operation concludes."

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was expected to be closed until 4pm AEST, Sunday.

'Major disruptions': What to know about the pro-Palestinian Harbour Bridge march

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

1 month ago3 Aug 2:51pm

Opposition leader questions bridge shutdown, predicts 'absolute chaos'

Opposition leader Sussan Ley has questioned the shutting down of a "critical arterial route" in Sydney, citing "all of the ongoing ramifications for people travelling".

"We all want to see Gazans fed, we all want to see the Israeli hostages released, and we all want to see the war end. That conflict is overseas, what's happening here is incredibly disruptive to Sydney," she told SBS News earlier today.

Police 'scrambling' as pro-Palestinian Sydney Harbour Bridge march gets green light

"Australians do have a right to protest and they have a right to free speech, and I support that," she said, but added that this particular protest would have a disproportionate impact and was "clearly not wanted" by most Sydney residents.

Formerly a pro-Palestinian MP in parliament before shifting her position, Ley said the protest was "going to cause absolute chaos" and significant "diversion of our law enforcement and emergency personnel".

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 2:23pm

Julian Assange spotted at Sydney rally

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange — who has rarely been seen in public since his release from a UK prison in June — has been spotted at the rally in Sydney.

Alongside him was former Labor minister Bob Carr, who has been a regular critic of his party's stance towards Israel and Gaza.

A grey haired man in a black parka stands among a crowd.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and former NSW premier Bob Carr (right) at the rally in Sydney. Source: AAP / Dean Lewins

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 2:15pm

Sydney protesters begin to assemble

Pro-Palestinian protesters have begun to assemble in the Sydney's CBD ahead of a march across the Harbour Bridge.

One protester SBS News spoke to said: "People around the world have got to stand up and really, truthfully, say what is happening there, and I think people are doing that now."

A man in a dark blue parka wearing a black and white Palestinian keffiyeh patterned scarf stands with a flag in his hand.

The protester was among those beginning to assemble in Sydney's CBD. Source: SBS

"If you really want to make a humanitarian stance on what is happening in Gaza, you really have to be stronger," he added.

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 2:14pm

Protesters in Melbourne prepare to march towards King St Bridge

Protesters have also assembled in Melbourne, at the State Library, from where they will march down Swanston Street, before turning right at Flinders Street and marching to the King Street bridge.

A crowd of protesters gathered in front of a statue

Source: Supplied

Earlier on Sunday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan warned protesters that there would be consequences for anyone who caused unnecessary disruption to the Melbourne CBD.

"Anyone who breaks the law, anyone who compromises community safety will be dealt with swiftly by Victoria Police," she said at a press conference.

A crowd of protesters gather on a CBD street with skeletal winter trees in front of glimmering skyscrapers.

Source: Supplied

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 2:08pm

How long do authorities expect the Harbour Bridge to be closed?

The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed in both directions to road traffic from around 11:30am to around 4:00pm today, but the closure may extend beyond that, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said last night.

Motorists and passengers should delay non-essential travel in the Sydney CBD and North Sydney during the event, TfNSW warned, adding that travellers should allow plenty of additional journey time to get around Sydney as the closure would have a flow-on effect across the road and public transport network throughout the day.

— Zacharias Szumer

1 month ago3 Aug 2:03pm

Pro-Palestinian protesters march towards Sydney Harbour Bridge

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge is expected to turn into a mass of people spotlighting the suffering in Gaza with thousands expected to join the protest, as police flag concerns of crowd crush.

Rally organiser Palestine Action Group intends to draw attention to what the United Nations has described as "worsening famine conditions" in Gaza.

Organisers expect tens of thousands of people to march from the Sydney CBD across the bridge to North Sydney despite rainy conditions.

Police sought an order to prohibit the protest but it was rejected by the NSW Supreme Court on Saturday.

The bridge will be closed to motorists for most of Sunday and the metro is out of commission with scheduled repairs.

— AAP

Thousands march in Sydney in pro-Palestinian protest — as it happened

Pro-Palestinian protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge after the event was given the go-ahead by NSW's highest court.

That's a wrap

Police praise 'very well behaved' protesters despite crowd-crush concerns

READ MORE

'This is our bridge', protest organiser says

Police ask protesters to stop the march again

An SBS contributor's account of hunger in Gaza

Thousands on the Harbour Bridge: Sydney rally in photos

Footage from bridge-crossing train shows size of Sydney rally

Melbourne demonstration has left barricaded bridge

'I'm here for humanity', Lord Mayor of Sydney says

Police in Sydney call for protesters to 'stop walking north'

Former NSW premier says if he were in power, he would've 'led the march'

Husic marching alongside other Labor figures in Sydney

Former Australian of the year speaks in Sydney

'We are not silent,' Faruqi tells crowd

READ MORE

Harbour Bridge to remain closed for a longer period than planned

READ MORE

Opposition leader questions bridge shutdown, predicts 'absolute chaos'

READ MORE

Julian Assange spotted at Sydney rally

Sydney protesters begin to assemble

Protesters in Melbourne prepare to march towards King St Bridge

How long do authorities expect the Harbour Bridge to be closed?

Pro-Palestinian protesters march towards Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Thousands march in Sydney in pro-Palestinian protest — as it happened

Pro-Palestinian protesters marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge after the event was given the go-ahead by NSW's highest court.

That's a wrap

Police praise 'very well behaved' protesters despite crowd-crush concerns

READ MORE

'This is our bridge', protest organiser says

Police ask protesters to stop the march again

An SBS contributor's account of hunger in Gaza

Thousands on the Harbour Bridge: Sydney rally in photos

Footage from bridge-crossing train shows size of Sydney rally

Melbourne demonstration has left barricaded bridge

'I'm here for humanity', Lord Mayor of Sydney says

Police in Sydney call for protesters to 'stop walking north'

Former NSW premier says if he were in power, he would've 'led the march'

Husic marching alongside other Labor figures in Sydney

Former Australian of the year speaks in Sydney

'We are not silent,' Faruqi tells crowd

READ MORE

Harbour Bridge to remain closed for a longer period than planned

READ MORE

Opposition leader questions bridge shutdown, predicts 'absolute chaos'

READ MORE

Julian Assange spotted at Sydney rally

Sydney protesters begin to assemble

Protesters in Melbourne prepare to march towards King St Bridge

How long do authorities expect the Harbour Bridge to be closed?

Pro-Palestinian protesters march towards Sydney Harbour Bridge

previous

1of2

next

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