A pro-Palestinian march across Brisbane’s Story Bridge would be unsafe and cannot go ahead, police have told organisers.
The march, proposed for August 24 and expected to draw about 7000 people, would be the biggest-ever march for the cause in Brisbane and comes after more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian supporters flocked to Sydney’s Harbour Bridge earlier this month.
But organisers revealed on Tuesday the group had been told by police to choose another location which avoids the Story Bridge, citing safety concerns.
A pro-Palestine rally in the Brisbane CBD earlier this year.Credit: William Davis
Mediation between police and organisers began Tuesday, with organisers determined for the original plan, to begin at Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point and end at Centenary Park in Fortitude Valley, to go ahead.
“Our position is that we want to work with the police collaboratively to make it happen,” Remah Naji, an organiser with group Justice for Palestine in Brisbane, said.
“We will go there in good faith … however, if we feel like we’ve reached a dead end, then we will have to take it back to the group and make a decision.
“[Legal action] it is on the table. I’m not saying that this is definitely what we will do, but it’s definitely on the table.”
A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed the group had been told the march across the bridge would not be permitted.
About 100,000 people braved the rain to attend the Harbour Bridge rally in Sydney earlier this month. Credit: Max Mason-Hubers
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