Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters are expected to take to the streets of Sydney today, despite a ceasefire in Gaza.
At least 40,000 were expected to march to the Sydney Opera House before the NSW Court of Appeal thwarted those plans on Thursday.
NSW Police disputed the Palestine Action Group’s request to protest at the Opera House, arguing during a full-day hearing this week that the potential for overcrowding posed a public safety concern.
NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Common Law Chief Judge Ian Harrison, and Justice Stephen Free concurred that the safety threat to participants and bystanders would be ‘extreme.’
Instead, pro-Palestinian advocates will convene at Hyde Park in Sydney from 1 pm for a sanctioned demonstration, followed by a march down George Street, coordinated with police oversight.
The organizers have assured that Sunday’s rally will continue as planned, even though former US President Donald Trump has announced a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel after days of negotiations in Gaza.
‘We are still marching because our government is still arming a genocidal state,’ Palestine Action Group posted on Saturday.
‘Sanction Israel now, stop the two way arms trade. Stop the complicity with genocide and apartheid by our government.
Thousands of pro-Palestine supporters will march in the Sydney CBD on Sunday
The pro-Palestine protest will go ahead, despite being banned from the Sydney Opera House
A host of guest speakers will address the big crowd, including activists Abubakir Rafiq, Juliet Lamont, and Hamish Paterson.
They were among seven Australians on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of ships intercepted by Israel’s navy off Gaza last week.
They were detained in the high-security Ketziot prison near the Israel-Egypt border before they were deported to Jordan and returned home on Friday.
Organisers insist they welcome a possible ceasefire in Gaza.
‘But we do not trust Israel and we do not trust Donald Trump,’ the group added.
‘Previous ceasefire were broken by Israel and the genocide has continued apace.
‘Our movement knows that real peace will only come with justice and accountability.
‘We must continue to place demands on the Australian government to take concrete action to end its complicity in Israel’s crimes.’
Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees vowed activists will ‘fill’ George Street on Sunday
Palestine Action Group has been organising weekly rallies in Australia’s capital cities since Israel’s military assault on Gaza began in 2023.
About 1200 people killed after Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
As per the most recent updates, 48 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks are still believed to be held in Gaza, with approximately 20 presumed to be alive.
The subsequent war has already killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
There will still be a ‘visible police presence’ at the Opera House on Sunday to ensure the court order isn’t defied.
‘I would advise anyone considering going to the Opera House to participate in any protest or assembly that doing so will constitute an offense, and we will take necessary action,’ stated NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna to reporters on Sunday.
‘I don’t expect people to attend the Opera House but if people are silly enough to – they want to flout the law, break the law – appropriate action will be taken.’
Pro-Palestine supporters will meet in Sydney’s Hyde Park from 1pm for Sunday’s CBD march
NSW Premier Minns also welcomed the court’s decision, and warned that those who don’t comply will face ‘the full force of the law’.
‘If you litigate it in front of the Court of Appeal … and they make a decision, then you’ve got to respect the umpire’s call,’ he said.
‘The decision of the police and the government to [oppose the planned protest] … on public safety grounds has been validated by the decision.’
Premier Minns also shut down calls from rally organisers to light up the sails of the Sydney Opera House in the colours of the Palestinian flag in lieu of the banned protest.
