A planned pro-Palestine protest march across Brisbane's Story Bridge has been banned by a court on public safety grounds. Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington approved an application from the Queensland Police Service (QPS), which argued that closing all six lanes of the bridge would block emergency vehicles and pose a risk to the public.
The footpaths attached to the bridge have been closed since March for repairs because of engineering concerns. Magistrate Brassington said she accepted submissions that police could not prevent people from climbing onto the footpaths, which she described as a significant risk to public safety. It is the second time this year that a group has been banned from marching over the bridge; an active transport group was blocked in May.
Organisers Justice for Palestine Magan-djin had expected about 7,000 people to join the march from Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley. Spokesperson Remah Naji said after the ruling that protesters still planned to convene at Raymond Park at 1pm on Sunday, and to make a decision publicly in the coming days. Police said they had taken part in mediation on Monday but could not reach an agreement with the organisers.
The ban follows contrasting scenes in other Australian cities earlier this month. In Sydney, a court overturned a police bid to stop a protest on the Harbour Bridge, and the event went ahead without major incidents, with police estimating 90,000 attendees and organisers claiming 300,000. In Melbourne, pro-Palestine protesters encountered police in riot gear when they tried to cross the King Street Bridge.
During the Brisbane hearing, the court was told that police had suggested alternative routes, but protesters insisted that only the Story Bridge would bring appropriate attention to their cause. Respondent Angus Scott pointed to the Sydney precedent, arguing that there would be no additional risk to the public. However, Magistrate Brassington distinguished the Brisbane proposal, citing the poor state of the adjacent footpaths, four nearby hospitals, and the risk of impeding emergency services.
