Thousands Rally on Sydney Harbour Bridge to Protest Gaza Conflict

This was to happen during a defining moment where civil action was happening in Australia. Thousands of people participated in what was termed “March for Humanity” on a Sunday that was soaked with rain and across the iconic Harbour Bridge in Sydney to call for the end of the war in Gaza. Hailed a landmark in a peaceful demonstration that was last-minute authorized by the Supreme Court just a day before, this is expected to change the direction, focus, and reference in international humanitarian interventions within the country.

While warnings about heavy rain and transportation were in the air, families, activists, and even some big names like Julian Assange, Bob Carr and Ed Husic flocked to join the march. Many carried signs and banners to ask for immediate political intervention to stop what they said was a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

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The mob proved to be one of the loudest with chants of “Shame shame Israel, shame shame USA,” and “What are we looking for? Stop the fire. When do we want it? Now.” One of their own, Alec Beville, could not hold back his fierce words against the participants’ urgency. To him, the tragedies of Palestinian children can be compared with that of his own son. Others, like Zara Williams, were criticizing the Australian government for doing nothing and calling for sanctions and increased efforts in aid.

NSW Police were trying to stop the march at the start but then later went on applying for a prohibition order by the Supreme Court; Justice Belinda Rigg upheld that public safety was a credible reason for concern but seemed to hinge on the strong humanitarian reason for the protest. It could not be adequately demonstrated that prohibition would lead to an enhancement of safety to the public and an order was made for temporary road restrictions to be in place around the demonstration.

Last minute legal protections under the Summary Offences Act had been granted to the protesters, shielding them from future prosecutions over any disruptions caused as a result of the protests. So, it cleared the way to conduct the march without being under the threat of criminal charges hanging over peaceful demonstrators.

This march arrives at a time when world pressure is being brought to bear in Australia to acknowledge the right of Palestinians to statehood. At the UN General Assembly, France, the UK, and Canada will be poised to offer conditional recognition, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has remained noncommittal on Australia’s course, stating that it will not be dictated by foreign influence and must also take into account the long-term security of Israel.

While the world debates and watches what role it might take toward ending the Gaza conflict, Sydney’s march over the weekend emerged not just as a protest issue for the local population but a growing symbol of global solidarity reminding even isolated conflicts that they can stir great reactions far from where they began.