Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have filled the streets of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in one of Australia’s largest coordinated demonstrations, held just days after the United Nations confirmed famine in Gaza.
Organisers estimated crowds of about 100,000 in both Melbourne and Sydney, while in Brisbane they put the turnout at 50,000 and described it as “historic”. Police gave significantly lower figures in each city.
The nationwide day of action stretched across 40 cities and towns, backed by more than 250 unions and community organisations, including the Victorian Trades Hall Council, Unions NSW, Hunter Workers, Unions WA and the South Coast Labour Council.
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin spokesperson Remah Naji told Brisbane’s rally it was “the biggest pro-Palestine rally that this city has ever seen”. Turnout in Brisbane was swelled after authorities blocked plans to march across the Story Bridge, citing safety concerns. Thousands instead packed ferries and city streets, rallying at Queens Garden before crossing Victoria Bridge.
Greens leader Larissa Waters said it was the “biggest gathering since those against the Iraq war”.
“I think it is a real show of sentiment by ordinary people that they know our government should be doing more and they want them to be doing more,” she told The Guardian.
Jawad Al Maj, who came to Australia as a refugee from Iran, attended with his wife Amira and their two young children.
“The difference between my kids and those kids in Palestine is geography. It’s luck,” the warehouse worker told the publication. “It could have been my kids being blown up while Australia is silent. If I were in that situation I’d hope that people would speak up for me. So I’m speaking up.”
Palestine Action Group Sydney spokesman Josh Lees said the movement had grown rapidly since the 3 August Harbour Bridge protest, which drew between 90,000 and 300,000. “That bridge march has generated so much momentum around the country,” he said. “The dam has burst in terms of support for Palestine and opposition to this genocide.”
Former ABC presenter Antoinette Lattouff, who won an unlawful termination case against the broadcaster after being dismissed over her pro-Palestine posts, was among prominent figures at the Sydney march, alongside Grace Tame and others.
Protests rolled out from midday across every state capital and regional centres including Shepparton, Geraldton, Coffs Harbour, Katoomba, Tathra and Pine Gap, some holding pro-Palestine rallies for the first time. In Canberra, independent senator David Pocock addressed around 2,000 people in Civic Square, according to police.
The marches follow the UN’s declaration of famine in Gaza and Israel’s preparations for a full military takeover of the city.
Since 7 October 2023, Palestinian health officials say more than 60,000 people — mostly women, children and the elderly — have been killed in Gaza after Hamas killed 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages at an Israeli music festival.
Figures from a classified Israeli military intelligence database indicate five out of six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces have been civilians — an extreme rate of death rarely matched in modern warfare.
