Sydney's Harbour Bridge Historic March for Palestine

Sydney's Harbour Bridge Historic March for Palestine
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Yesterday, Sydney witnessed a moment of history. In the face of political opposition and last-minute legal challenges, tens of thousands of people—some estimates suggest up to 90,000—marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a powerful display of solidarity with the Palestinian people. It was a day that proved, unequivocally, that people power can and will overcome attempts to silence dissent.

The march, organized by the Palestine Action Group, was a stunning success. From the outset, police and government officials expressed their fears, with the Premier warning of "chaos" and police challenging the protest in court. After the court sided with the protesters, authorities continued to voice concerns, with a Deputy Commissioner of Police even describing the situation as "perilous" and a potential for a "crowd crush." Police reports indicate that the sheer number of attendees, far exceeding initial estimates, led them to fear a crowd crush at the southern end of the bridge. They even resorted to using the city's emergency warning system to direct the crowd to turn back, a measure they haven't taken in over 20 years.

While we appreciate the police's stated commitment to public safety, we must reject this characterization of the day. The truth is, the only peril came from the government's attempts to stop a peaceful, legal protest. The people who marched yesterday were not a faceless, chaotic mob. They were fathers and mothers, students and workers, artists and activists. They were doctors, lawyers, and community leaders. They were Australians from all walks of life, united by a shared sense of humanity and a profound concern for what is happening in Gaza.

The presence of prominent figures, including WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, also underscored the significance of the day. Assange's participation, one of his first public appearances since his return to Australia, sends a powerful message about the global importance of speaking truth to power and standing up for human rights. It demonstrates that the call for a free Palestine resonates far beyond traditional activist circles.

The immense size of the crowd was not a sign of a "perilous situation" but a testament to the depth of feeling in our community. The fact that the march was so much larger than our initial estimate of 10,000 people should not be a cause for fear, but for reflection. It shows that the government and the media have fundamentally misunderstood the level of public outrage over the ongoing crisis.

For months, we have seen attempts to marginalize and demonize the pro-Palestine movement. But yesterday, the people of Sydney proved that they will not be intimidated. The fact that the police, at one point, had to send a city-wide text message to turn the crowd around shows just how overwhelming the public turnout was. It was a clear and powerful message to our politicians that their inaction and complicity will not be tolerated.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who came out to march yesterday, rain or shine. Your courage and determination made this day a historic moment for the pro-Palestine movement in Australia. You proved that when people stand together, their voices cannot be ignored. This is just the beginning. The fight for justice, dignity, and a free Palestine continues.