Tens of thousands of demonstrators, joined by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, transformed Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge into a sea of pro-Palestinian solidarity on Sunday, demanding urgent humanitarian aid and an end to the Gaza conflict.
An estimated 90,000 people (by police count) and up to 300,000 (organizers’ figure) turned Sydney Harbour Bridge into a sea of Palestinian flags, pots and pans, and banners, even as heavy rain and strong winds swept through the city. Organizers called it a landmark “March for Humanity” protesting famine and escalating civilian deaths in Gaza.
Julian Assange, who has kept a low public profile since returning to Australia last year following a legal settlement with the U.S., joined the march alongside his wife Stella and brother Gabriel Shipton. He walked shoulder‑to‑shoulder with former federal minister and NSW premier Bob Carr, both clutching a giant “Save Gaza” banner. Assange did not address the crowd or speak to the media.
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Despite initial police fears of a crowd‑crush, and a last‑minute attempt by the NSW government to block the bridge protest, organizers won a Supreme Court ruling authorizing the event. It proceeded peacefully until officials, fearing for safety, asked participants to double back mid‑march toward the city centre.
Palestine Action Group’s Josh Lees described it as “a monumental and historic success … today was just a huge display of democracy.” Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster, a rally speaker, warned that “as a country we’ve said much but not acted as we must,” referencing civil and political inertia in Canberra.
The protest triggered swift political fallout. NSW Premier Chris Minns had warned the city would “descend into chaos,” and certain leaders criticized the demonstration as disruptive. Meanwhile, the federal government announced an immediate A$20 million aid package for Gaza, funding food, medical and child nutrition programs via the UN and Red Cross.
As protests spread to Melbourne and Adelaide, observers believe the Sydney event marks the largest public outcry in support of Gaza seen in Australia since the Iraq war era.
Asia Pacific Report
