Thousands Protest on Sydney Harbour Bridge in a Massive, Peaceful Demonstration

On a remarkable day in Sydney, thousands of people gathered to protest on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Organised by the Palestine Action Group, the event drew an estimated crowd ranging from 90,000 to as many as 300,000 participants. Despite initial concerns from authorities, the protest unfolded peacefully, with no arrests or reports of antisocial behaviour. This large-scale demonstration sparked debates about the cost to taxpayers and the future of protests on the bridge.

Table of Contents

• Massive Turnout and Peaceful Protest
• Political Response and Financial Concerns
• Legal and Future Implications
• Frequently Asked Questions

Massive Turnout and Peaceful Protest

The sheer number of protesters surprised many, with estimates varying widely but all agreeing the turnout was substantial. The police had feared potential crowd crushes and disruption, but these concerns did not materialise. Remarkably, the event concluded without any arrests or incidents of antisocial behaviour.

Authorities managed to reopen the bridge shortly after 4:30 pm, just over half an hour later than originally planned, allowing traffic to resume smoothly. The organisers of the Palestine Action Group expressed their excitement and satisfaction with how the protest unfolded, despite police changing tactics midway through the event by redirecting the crowd back to the south side of the bridge.

Political Response and Financial Concerns

While the protest was peaceful and large, it has sparked controversy regarding the financial implications. Some politicians, including state parliament member Paul O'Toole and opposition leader Mark Speakman, voiced concerns over taxpayers footing the bill for the operation. The exact cost remains unclear, but the Premier has indicated it is likely to be in the millions.

In response to questions about possible legislative measures to prevent similar protests in the future, the Premier refrained from committing to any specific actions but emphasised that police will continue assessing protest applications on a case-by-case basis, regardless of the group involved.

"Firstly, we wanna look specifically at the judgment. If it doesn't provide a precedent, then the police will still make assessments on form ones regardless of who puts in an application, whether it's an anti vaxx group or a critical mass or whatever the demonstration is," the Premier said.

Legal and Future Implications

The protest had been given the green light by the Supreme Court in an emergency ruling on Saturday morning, despite the Premier's opposition. Reflecting on this, the Premier stated he does not regret opposing the march’s approval but respects the court's decision.

As for the Palestine Action Group, they have indicated they do not plan to march on the bridge again in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people participated in the Sydney Harbour Bridge protest?

Estimates vary, with numbers ranging between 90,000 and 300,000 people.

Were there any arrests or incidents during the protest?

No arrests or reports of antisocial behaviour were recorded during the event.

Why are some politicians concerned about the protest?

Concerns have been raised about the cost to taxpayers for policing and managing the protest, which the Premier estimates to be in the millions.

Will there be laws introduced to prevent future protests on the bridge?

The Premier has not committed to any new legislation but mentioned police will continue to assess protest applications carefully.

Does the Palestine Action Group plan to hold more protests on the bridge?

Currently, the group has no plans to march on the bridge again anytime soon.