More than 100,000 people, including high-profile figures such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr, and government MP Ed Husic, participated in a large-scale pro-Palestine protest across Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge on Sunday. The protest, dubbed the “March for Humanity,” was organized to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and highlight the worsening humanitarian crisis, especially the starvation of children.
Demonstrators gathered at Lang Park in the city before proceeding to march across the 1.2km-long Harbour Bridge, which was closed to traffic at 11:30am. The march officially began at 1pm, with crowds braving heavy rain. Organizers said the turnout far exceeded expectations, with protestors eventually filling the entire span of the bridge.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” said protest organizer Josh Lees. “It’s a mass demonstration for humanity — to stop a genocide. Our politicians must now listen and impose sanctions on Israel.”
Although the protest was originally intended to end at the U.S. Consulate, it was halted around 3pm when NSW police issued a mass text message to attendees ordering the march to stop due to safety concerns. Protesters were redirected back towards the city. Police helicopters and loudspeakers reinforced the message, citing risks of crowd crush and congestion.
While NSW police initially estimated the crowd at around 90,000, rally organizers claimed the turnout could have reached as high as 300,000 — making it one of the largest political protests in Sydney’s recent history.
NSW Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna acknowledged the massive scale of the march, stating, “At points today, we were really concerned about a crowd crush.” Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson added, “In my 35 years of policing, I’ve never seen a more perilous situation.”
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At the front of the march were public figures holding a banner reading “March for Humanity Save Gaza.” Julian Assange made one of his rare public appearances after returning to Australia following a long extradition ordeal. Bob Carr reaffirmed his call for the Australian government to sanction Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to recognize the State of Palestine. He described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “deliberate starvation.”
Federal MPs Ed Husic, Alison Byrne, and Tony Sheldon joined the march, echoing similar demands. “People have come out because they can’t bear to see the suffering of children,” said Husic, calling on the Albanese government to act decisively.
Defying Premier Chris Minns’ warning against the protest, five NSW Labor MPs — Stephen Lawrence, Anthony D’Adam, Lynda Voltz, Cameron Murphy, and Sarah Kaine — marched in solidarity. Two of Minns’ cabinet members, Penny Sharpe and Jihad Dib, were also spotted, along with MPs Bob Nanva and Peter Primrose.
Stephen Lawrence called for a shift in Australia’s policy, stating, “The people have spoken today. They want action to stop the genocide in Palestine.” He also criticized the NSW Labor leadership’s reluctance to support the right to protest.
Legal authorization for the protest came just 24 hours prior, after a court ruling overturned the police’s attempt to block it. Under NSW’s controversial anti-protest laws passed in 2022, blocking major roads like the Harbour Bridge could have resulted in two years of imprisonment or a $22,000 fine.
The protest featured diverse voices, including actor Meyne Wyatt, former Socceroo Craig Foster, and Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi. Faruqi criticized Premier Minns, stating, “It was never about traffic. It was always about silencing us and shielding Israel from accountability.”
Demonstrators came equipped with umbrellas, keffiyehs, pots, and pans to symbolize hunger in Gaza. Palestinian flags and signs were widely displayed. Families, children, and people of all ages filled the crowd. A British protester held a sign reading “Gay Jews 4 Gaza,” emphasizing the importance of diverse solidarity against the actions of the Israeli state.
Nurse and midwife Philomena McGoldrick, who has worked in Gaza, expressed her sorrow over the starving children: “Babies have no religion or language. It’s heartbreaking, but I’m grateful to stand with people on the right side of history.”
Meanwhile, in Melbourne, a similar protest attempting to block King Street Bridge was thwarted by police in riot gear. Protest organizers shared footage online showing law enforcement blocking the path.
Transport for NSW advised the public to avoid non-essential travel around the central business district and northern Sydney due to the protest.
