Hundreds Of People Attend Cancelled ‘Globalise The Intifada’ Talk In Sydney Park
Image: A photo of the moved event. Credit Pride in Protest/ Instagram
Over 200 people attended a pro-Palestine event at Charles Kernan Reserve in Darlington on Tuesday evening after organisers were forced to change venues after it was cancelled due to an order from Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
The event had originally been advertised as “Why it’s right to say: Globalise the Intifada” and was scheduled to take place at a City of Sydney venue before it was banned following Moore’s intervention. Organised by the activist group Stop The War On Palestine, the cancellation came after significant pressure to cancel the event, including from media and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
In a statement on social media, the organisers said “We reject the implication from Clover Moore that our meeting risks public safety and respect for members of the community.”
The event was billed as a discussion about what it means to “Globalise the Intifada”, which they define as a call for global solidarity with the Palestinian struggle. The event comes after 20 people were arrested in Brisbane for defying the ban on Palestine protest slogans, as well as broader anti protest laws in NSW.
The group Teachers For Palestine, who were involved with the event, said on social media that “the event ended up being way larger as a result of the media coverage and all the attendees would not have been able to fit in the planned venue.”
Why the event was cancelled
In a statement posted to Facebook, Moore said she had directed the City of Sydney chief executive to cancel the booking amid concerns about public safety and social cohesion.
“I have long supported the principles of peaceful assembly, protest and freedom of speech,” Moore wrote.
“However, these rights must always be balanced with a responsibility to ensure public safety and respect for all members of our diverse community.”
Moore said the decision came during “heightened anxiety and division” and coincided with the opening hearings of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia. She said it was “essential that public events do not contribute to hostility and fear”.
She also criticised media coverage surrounding the event.
“In recent weeks, we have seen a persistent media campaign by the Murdoch press against this event,” Moore said.
“The coverage has exploited trauma, painting complex issues in black and white and, in bad faith, demanded our communities take sides.”
Moore added: “Protesting the war is legitimate, and in no way affects my deep sympathy, solidarity and concern for Jewish communities.”
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