Pro-Palestine advocates in Brisbane are determined to continue their protests, despite a recent court ruling denied them permission to march on the Story Bridge this weekend. After Queensland’s chief magistrate deemed the protest a significant threat to public safety, supporters voiced their commitment to their cause. Rouba Rayan, a spokesperson for Justice for Palestine Magan-djin, expressed their resolve outside the courthouse, stating, “We may not have had the judgment in our favour today, but we will continue to fight for freedom and justice.”
The planned demonstration was anticipated to draw up to 10,000 participants. However, police intervened in advance, citing concerns over public safety, including the ability to effectively manage the crowd and maintain access for emergency services, particularly with a nearby AFL match scheduled at the Gabba that evening. Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman emphasised the Queensland Police’s commitment to ensuring community safety.
Issues regarding the structural safety of the Story Bridge were also raised by the Brisbane City Council, who highlighted the poor condition of the footpaths. Mayor Adrian Schrinner acknowledged the right to protest but stressed the importance of maintaining safety standards during such events.
A senior officer from New South Wales brought attention to potential risks of crowd control, noting how a previous protest on the Sydney Harbour Bridge had spiraled into chaos with around 100,000 attendees, resulting in some being turned away.
While magistrate Janelle Brassington recognised the significance of the activists’ cause, she concluded that the risks posed to public safety were too great to authorise the march. The magistrate ruled against the protest, which was deemed unauthorised, and urged would-be demonstrators to heed the ruling against the march.
In the wake of the decision, the group considers whether to appeal and maintains that they will still gather peacefully at Raymond Park on Sunday at 1 pm, albeit without marching over the Story Bridge. They argue that the police decision to prohibit the bridge march undermines their democratic right to protest.
Protest organisers were offered alternatives, including marching via Victoria Bridge, though they expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and its underlying political implications. Despite the court’s decision, the group remains resolute in their pursuit of their rights and advocacy for their cause this weekend.