Senator Lidia Thorpe has said she may be willing to ‘burn down’ parliament as pro-Palestine protests take place across the country.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Australia’s major cities days after Israel and Hamas agreed to a tentative ceasefire.
Free Palestine Melbourne has again taken to the steps of Melbourne’s State Library in the latest of their ongoing Sunday demonstrations.
Senator Lidia Thorpe was one of several speakers who addressed the crowd of thousands, reported to be of a ‘significant’ size.
Speaking at a pro-Palestine rally, she stated, “We stand with you daily, we fight daily, we turn up daily—and if burning down Parliament House is necessary to make a point… I’m not here to make friends,” the Herald Sun reported.
‘I am there to get justice for our people and I am there to free Palestine from the river to the sea.’
The Senator also cast doubts on the peace agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, taking special aim at the US President.
‘How can we trust Trump and these racist Nazis that continue to violate our lives, our babies, our women, our families, our land?’ she said.
Senator Lidia Thorpe has made the radical threat to ‘burn down’ parliament during the national pro-Palestine rallies. She is depicted addressing demonstrators in Melbourne in August.
Pro-Palestine supporters have gathered across the country despite an uncertain peace deal between Hamas and Israel. Pictured are protesters in Sydney.
‘There will be no justice unless Palestine self determines their own destiny.’
This incident follows nearly a year after Ms. Thorpe interrupted parliamentary proceedings by shouting pro-Palestinian phrases from the Senate press gallery.
The Victorian senator faced suspension from the Senate the previous day after tearing up a motion by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson on the Senate floor.
In Melbourne, police are escorting protesters through the crowded CBD towards the US consulate, the planned end-point of the march.
Meanwhile, demonstrations have sprung up far-and-wide including in Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra and in the regions.
In Sydney, protesters gathered in Hyde Park before making their way down George Street towards Belmore Park.
Crowds heard from Australians who were detained by Israel after attempting to break its naval blockade of Gaza as part of the Sumud Flotilla.
Among them was Surya McEwen who was held in Israel’s Ketziot Prison before being deported back to Australia this week.
‘They wanted to scare us, they scuffed us up a bit, we experienced some violence, some sexual violence, some abuse,’ he said, according to the ABC.
Protesters turned out in the thousands despite Israel recently reaching a ceasefire with Hamas
Sydney protesters met in Hyde Park before making their way down George Street
Initial plans to hold a protest at the Opera House were canceled by organizers after a police ban order, approved by the NSW Supreme Court, highlighted potential safety concerns.
In Brisbane, protesters are making their way from Queens Gardens into the CBD before returning to the gardens.
Meanwhile, protesters have gathered in Hobart for a planned march from the city’s waterfront area to the nearby Parliament Lawns.
Friends of Palestine WA confirmed the rallies would go ahead on Sunday, casting doubts on the longevity of the ceasefire agreement.
‘We do not trust Israel and we do not trust Donald Trump,’ it said.
‘Previous ceasefires were broken by Israel and the genocide has continued apace.’
More to come.
