Historic Pro-Palestine March Triumphs on Sydney Harbour Amid Adverse Weather

Wed Jan 14 2026 20:57:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Thousands converge for a spirited protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, advocating for Palestinian rights, despite adverse conditions and police intervention.

A planned pro-Palestine march successfully seized Sydney Harbour Bridge after a Supreme Court ruling, attracting thousands to raise awareness for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, even as police contested the event's safety.

On a rainy Sunday, an authorized protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge witnessed thousands of individuals rallying for Palestinian rights as part of the March for Humanity. This significant gathering took place just hours after the New South Wales Supreme Court granted permission, allowing the march to proceed—a decision hailed as "historic" by its organizers, particularly the Palestine Action Group.

Despite torrential downpours, the presence of notable figures such as Julian Assange, federal MP Ed Husic, and former NSW Premier Bob Carr bolstered the spirits of attendees. The last closure of the iconic bridge for a public event occurred in earlier 2023 with a massive turnout for World Pride, highlighting the bridge's symbolic importance in societal movements.

Two hours post the commencement, NSW Police warned marchers via text message to cease proceeding north and regroup towards the city for safety reasons. Although no official attendance numbers were released, Transport for NSW urged drivers to avoid the city due to severe traffic disruptions caused by the protest.

Initially, the Palestine Action Group's application for the march faced rejection from police, citing insufficient time for necessary traffic management. Concerns regarding crowd safety were cited, with NSW Premier Chris Minns expressing apprehension about unrest. However, on the eve of the protest, the Supreme Court's Justice Belinda Rigg noted, without evidence suggesting a prohibition would enhance public safety, that compelling reasons existed to address the urgent humanitarian dilemma in Gaza.

The court ruled in favor of allowing the protest, enabling protections for participants under the Summary Offences Act against potential charges related to public assembly interruptions. In response, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies expressed disappointment regarding the court's ruling.

Australia faces growing pressures from globally allied nations like France, the UK, and Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized his commitment to security for Israel as a pre-condition for Australia's recognition of a Palestinian state, resisting external pressures from other countries.