Massive Pro-Palestinian March Takes Over Sydney Harbour Bridge
Tens of thousands of people took to Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge on Sunday in a powerful demonstration of support for Palestine, with police estimating at least 90,000 participants, though organizers claimed the crowd reached up to 300,000. Despite rainy conditions, the protest continued without major disruption, highlighting widespread solidarity for the Palestinian cause.
The march followed speeches from notable figures, including Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Indigenous actor Meyne Wyatt, and former Socceroos star Craig Foster. Also joining the march were prominent individuals such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, former Foreign Minister Bob Carr, and federal MP Ed Husic. The crowd was united in chanting “We are all Palestinian” as they moved in procession, amplifying the collective call for peace and justice for Palestinians.
While the protest was peaceful, it caused significant disruptions. Police issued warnings urging participants to stop walking across the bridge and coordinated with organizers to clear the area in stages. The march officially ended after 4pm, but protesters faced severe delays in public transport due to the roadblocks caused by the event.
In Melbourne, tensions escalated as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police. Riot gear-clad officers deployed trucks and barricades in a bid to prevent protesters from blocking the Kings Street Bridge. The Victorian state opposition criticized Premier Jacinta Allan for not taking stronger action to stop the protest.
The march in Sydney and the subsequent events in Melbourne reflect the growing momentum of the pro-Palestinian movement in Australia, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the broader Middle East. The large turnout at both locations signals an increased desire for action and greater awareness of the Palestinian struggle for justice.
