Police seek court order to quash Palestine bridge march
Fraser Barton |
Legal action has been launched to stop pro-Palestine demonstrators marching across a major bridge as part of a national day of protests.
But Justice for Palestine rally organisers have indicated they could defy any court order and go ahead with the protest on Brisbane’s Story Bridge on Sunday.
Citing safety fears, Queensland Police are set to take the matter to court after mediation talks with protesters on Monday failed to produce a resolution.
About 7000 protesters were expected to attend the Story Bridge rally as part of a nationwide day of action to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
More than 20 cities and towns, including all capitals, are set to feature in what has been billed as the largest pro-Palestine demonstration in Australia’s history.
After unfruitful mediation talks, police said they would take protest organisers to court in a bid to stop the Story Bridge march.
“Police participated in mediation with protest organisers, however an agreement could not be met,” a police statement said.
“Police will lodge documentation with Brisbane Magistrates Court for a decision to be made with respect to the Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly.”
Rally organiser Remah Naji indicated the march could take place even if the police successfully gained a court order to stop it, saying it was “on the table”.
“We’ll have to take it back to the group and make a decision based on the court’s decision,” she said outside Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
Police have raised public safety concerns, saying a Story Bridge march could pose “significant disruptions” to the community.
Public walkways on the 85-year-old bridge have been closed since March due to structural concerns and restoration, with the proposed rally likely to be held across its six lanes.
Ms Naji said protest organisers were willing to work co-operatively with police to ensure peaceful marches, and more than 120 marshals and medics would be on hand to assist.
Sunday’s protest plans come after some 90,000 people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier in August.
“The gravity of the situation in Gaza demands visibility,” Ms Naji said.
“We … want the maximum pressure to be applied on our government.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia will recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly meeting in September, joining more than 140 member states.
But it has failed to quieten calls for further action ahead of Sunday’s national day of protest.
“We call on those with any ounce of humanity to surge into the streets on August 24 all over the country, from the capital cities to Australia’s most isolated towns,” national protest organiser Jasmine Duff said.
AAP
