Premier Blocks Pro-Palestine March Across Harbour Bridge

Premier Chris Minns has said the government cannot support pro-Palestine protesters marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday, warning of “chaos” were it to go ahead.

Palestine Action Group announced their intention to march across the bridge on Sunday to protest mass starvation in Palestine, calling on “everyone, every individual and every organisation, who cannot bear to do nothing in the face of this atrocity” to join them.

“As Australia’s most iconic symbol, a mass march across the Harbour Bridge will send a powerful message to the world, to Gaza, to Israel, and to our own Government, that we are determined to stand up for humanity,” they said in a post on Instagram.

Minns said his government wasn’t able to accomodate a “protest of this scale” on the bridge, with only one week’s notice.

“We cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos,” said Minns in a statement.

“The bridge is one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in our city used every day by thousands of people. Unplanned disruption risks not only significant inconvenience, but real public safety concerns.”

The Premier said police were “in discussions with organisers about other routes they can take” and were “working to ensure community safety is upheld.”

Action group calls for NSW government to “stand on the right side of history”

Spokesperson for PAG Josh Lees called on NSW authorities to “stand on the right side of history”, and offered to hold the march a week later, giving the government more time to support the event.

“In 2023, the Harbour Bridge was closed for several hours to shoot a scene for a Ryan Gosling film. It is regularly closed at short notice for maintenance or emergencies,” he said.

“It was closed for the historic 2000 march for reconciliation and the 2023 World Pride march. It can be temporarily closed to help stop a genocide.”

A spokeswoman for NSW Police said a Form 1 application had been received by Sydney City Police Area Command, notifying them of their intent to hold public assembly, and protecting demonstrators from being charged under anti-protest laws.

Last year, NSW Police took PAG to the Supreme Court after the state filed court proceedings to prevent two pro-Palestine rallies in October. The group won the legal battle after agreeing to an alternative protest route and changing one event to a standing vigil.