Tens of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza. NSW police estimated the crowd at 90,000, while organisers claimed up to 300,000 took part in what they termed the 'March for Humanity'. The landmark bridge was closed to traffic from 11.30am as protesters gathered in Lang Park before walking the 1.2km span in heavy rain.
Among the high-profile attendees were WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, former foreign minister Bob Carr, and federal Labor MP Ed Husic. Several state Labor MPs also joined, defying Premier Chris Minns's opposition to the rally. Organiser Josh Lees said the turnout exceeded expectations, urging politicians to impose sanctions on Israel. Carr reiterated his call for the Australian government to recognise Palestinian statehood and sanction Israeli leaders over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The march was intended to end at the US consulate but was halted early due to safety concerns. NSW police sent mass text messages instructing protesters to stop and turn back, with a helicopter broadcasting instructions. Acting deputy commissioner Peter McKenna described it as the largest protest he had seen in his career, expressing concerns about crowd crush. Acting assistant commissioner Adam Johnson, with 35 years of policing, called it a 'perilous situation'.
Federal MPs Ed Husic, Alison Byrne, and Tony Sheldon were present, with Husic stating that participants could no longer tolerate the suffering of children in Gaza. NSW Labor MPs including Stephen Lawrence and Anthony D'Adam defied the premier, with Lawrence insisting it was time for Australia to impose sanctions. The event underscored growing political pressure on the Albanese government to take a stronger stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
