Queensland police are making efforts to stop a planned pro-Palestine march over Brisbane’s Story Bridge this weekend through legal means. The event is scheduled to take place at 1pm on Sunday and is expected to draw around 7,000 participants, as per Justice for Palestine Magan-djin (Brisbane).
The police’s stance is based on public safety concerns. They have filed the necessary paperwork with the Brisbane Magistrates Court to secure a ruling on the issue of allowing a public assembly. Previously, a cycling group was also denied permission to cross the bridge for similar reasons.
Remah Naji, a spokesperson for Justice for Palestine Magan-djin, stated that the organizers are prepared to fight this in court to preserve their right to peaceful assembly.
In a similar action earlier this month, New South Wales police attempted to deny legal protection for a planned protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but were unsuccessful as the NSW Supreme Court overturned the decision. Despite disagreements on the exact number of attendees, the event was considered historic with no major incidents reported.
In contrast, pro-Palestine protesters in Melbourne encountered a significant police presence, including riot gear and mounted officers, when they attempted to cross the King Street Bridge.
Mediation between Justice for Palestine Magan-djin and Queensland police occurred on Monday, but no agreement was reached on alternatives to the bridge as a protest location. Naji indicated that the group may defy a court injunction if necessary, with the decision being a collective one.
Naji emphasized the urgency of the situation in Gaza as a rationale for the choice of the bridge as the protest site. The conflict in Gaza, which began after Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 people, primarily women and children, as per Palestinian health officials.
The protests in Brisbane have been a regular occurrence for the past 22 months, responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by the blockade of aid. The upcoming protest aims to pressure the government to take action.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/18/queensland-police-go-to-court-in-bid-to-stop-story-bridge-pro-palestine-protest-march
