Tens of thousands of protesters filled the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday in a landmark demonstration against the war in Gaza, following a dramatic 11th-hour Supreme Court ruling that allowed the march to proceed.
Despite heavy rainfall, families, activists, and prominent figures—including WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, federal MP Ed Husic, and former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr—participated in the “March for Humanity,” a rare authorised public gathering on the iconic bridge.
Chants of “Shame shame Israel, shame shame USA” and “Ceasefire now!” echoed across the harbour as demonstrators held placards demanding an immediate end to hostilities and called on the Australian government to impose sanctions on Israel.
“It might be happening far away, but it affects us here too,” said Alec Beville, who attended the rally with his three-year-old son Frankie. “We could be doing a lot more to provide aid.”
Another participant, Zara Williams, cradling her baby Avery, said: “We can’t just sit by while an entire population is being starved.”
Organised by the Palestine Action Group, the protest was sparked by what organisers described as escalating atrocities in Gaza. After New South Wales Police initially rejected the application due to safety and traffic concerns, organisers appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled in their favour just one day before the event.
Justice Belinda Rigg acknowledged public safety concerns but deemed the protest’s humanitarian rationale compelling. She ordered the temporary closure of the bridge and surrounding roads, granting participants legal protection under the Summary Offences Act.
Despite a visible police presence and advance warnings from authorities, the march remained peaceful. Organisers sent a mid-march message urging participants to reverse course and return to the city centre in an orderly manner due to unspecified safety concerns.
Transport for NSW had previously warned of significant disruptions across the city, urging commuters to avoid the central business district.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies criticised the court’s ruling, calling it “deeply concerning” in a public statement.
Sunday’s protest came amid intensifying international support for Palestinian statehood, with countries such as France, Canada, and the United Kingdom signalling conditional backing ahead of the UN General Assembly session in September.
However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck a more cautious tone, stating that recognition of Palestine should not proceed without assurances of Israel’s long-term security.
The march marked the largest protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge since the 2023 World Pride event, highlighting mounting public pressure on Australia to adopt a firmer stance on the Gaza crisis.
