An estimated 50,000 people marched over Victoria Bridge in Brisbane’s CBD on Sunday, in what organisers called one of the city’s largest demonstrations in history.
The protest was part of a nationwide rally demanding for the Australian government to sanction Israel for its actions in Palestine and stop its two-way arms trade with the country.
Chants of “Free, free Palestine” echoed through the city as thousands carried flags, banners, and handmade signs over the bridge to Musgrave Park.
The crowd reflected Brisbane’s diversity and the broad base of support behind the demonstration. Among the thousands were families, students, union representatives, and faith leaders marching side by side with community leaders and Greens and Labor MPs.
While the march had initially been planned to cross the Story Bridge, the organisers selected the alternative route after a court lost to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) on public safety concerns.
The organisers Justice for Palenstine Magan-djin said in a social media statement that despite restrictions they would not be silenced.
“We see the legal threats, the ‘community safety’ rhetoric and repression for what they are, attempts to erode our rights to protest by a government that wants to scare us into silence about their complicity in genocide.”
“It is our responsibility to stand up against the war crimes that Israel is committing against the Palestinian people.”
The large turnout caused significant disruptions across the city, with public transport delays leaving some commuters stranded for up to two hours.
Organisers estimated 50,000 attendees though QPS disputed this figure, with Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Widlman estimating that only 10,000 people attended.
“In relation to this particular event, we absolutely have no objections to the protests organisers or the group,” he said.
As the protestors moved through the city, they shared why they had come out to make their voices heard.
One attendee, Mira, who did not want to share her last name, said she attended to fight for freedom.
“People feel powerless and protesting seems to be the one of the avenues we can take to actually have an impact on our leaders and encourage them to make the right decisions,” she said.
“Being in Australia, we have the privilege and agency to speak up about things that matter.
“People who are oppressed at the moment, they don’t have that opportunity. So we should do all that we can to give them that voice.”
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin says this demonstration will not be the last, with plans underway to reschedule the march on the Story Bridge. While QPS have not stated whether the same restrictions will apply, the right to peaceful assembly and Australia’s role in the Gaza conflict will continue to demand attention.
