NSW Police plan to block a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge by pro-Palestine protesters, claiming the public gathering would put lives at risk.
Amidst the escalating hunger crisis in Gaza, where aid agencies claim the recent aid measures are insufficient to tackle the worsening starvation, the organisers from the Palestine Action Group intend to march across the landmark to increase awareness and inspire action.
An application has been lodged by the Palestine Action Group for 10,000 people to march across the bridge on Sunday.
”If I give the example of the Sydney Marathon, there’s about 10 months of planning that goes into that, we don’t just put a cone down in the middle of the road and blow a whistle and say ‘yep, you’re alright to cross’,” he said.
“It is very significant to try and close that piece of criticial infrastructure to the city, it is a main aerial between the north side and the city.
“It would have a major disruption and effect on thousands of motorists.
“There’s emergency vehicles that will have to get across that bridge in emergencies if they need to.”
Despite police moving to block the protest, the Palestine Action Group said the march will go ahead this Sunday.
“Hundreds are starving to death, and Gazan authorities warn that 40,000 babies are at imminent risk of death due to a lack of baby formula, as a result of Israel’s blockade and deliberate starvation of the strip,” the group said in a statement.
“The Palestine Action Group has been inundated with support for the march in a way that has never been seen in these past two years of genocide.
“The people of Australia, and NSW, have had enough of this atrocity and are determined to take a powerful stand to make it stop.
“We will see an immense and peaceful display of humanity against genocide this Sunday.”
McKenna said police have worked with the group to facilitate more than 100 protests and organise alternative protest routes.
“I think we’ve given them a really fair go,” he said.
“We understand there is some angst at the moment about what is going on overseas and are sympathetic to that.
”But the NSW Police decision has to be, first and foremost, about public and police safety.”
