Several NSW Labor MPs, including Stephen Lawrence, Anthony D’Adam, Linda Voltz, Cameron Murphy, and Sarah Kaine, have defied their Premier, Chris Minns, and vowed to march across Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of Gaza this weekend. Police are attempting to challenge the protest in court, aiming to strip protesters of legal protections, which would leave them vulnerable to arrest if the march proceeds.
Lawrence criticized the NSW government’s slow demonization of protest, suggesting it could echo the events before Sydney’s first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978, which was met with police violence. The protest organizers, Sydney-based Palestine Action Group, are challenging the police decision in court. The political supporters of the march include independents Alex Greenwich and Jacqui Scruby, and members of the Greens and Libertarian parties. Greenwich pointed to a previous successful march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of LGBTQ equality during Sydney WorldPride as evidence that such an event is feasible. The police have cited safety risks as reasons to deny the protest’s proposed route and are open to negotiating alternatives.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/labor-mps-pro-palestine-march-gaza-protest-sydney-harbour-bridge
