The New South Wales government has rejected a proposal by the Palestine Action Group to march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday, citing concerns over public safety and disruption. The group had planned to change the route of its near-weekly pro-Palestine rally to walk across the iconic bridge to the US consulate.
Premier Chris Minns stated that the government could not support a protest of that scale on the bridge with only one week's notice, warning it could lead to 'chaos' and pose real public safety concerns. 'The bridge is one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure in our city used every day by thousands of people,' he said.
In response, Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees offered to delay the march by a week, noting that the bridge has been closed at short notice for film shoots, maintenance, and previous marches. 'It can be temporarily closed to help stop a genocide,' Lees said, referencing the situation in Gaza where the World Health Organization has recorded 74 malnutrition-related deaths this year.
The group has submitted a 'form one' notification to police, which if accepted would protect attendees from potential charges under anti-protest laws. However, the NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman backed Minns' decision, saying 'the Harbour Bridge belongs to everyone' and there are other ways to protest.
NSW Greens justice spokesperson Sue Higginson urged the premier and police commissioner to support the protest, calling it 'legal, moral, and a powerful symbol of solidarity'. The group previously faced a Supreme Court challenge from police over a similar application last year, but reached an agreement to alter their route.
