“We want Franklin to grow up with that sense of social justice as well,” daughter Carmen Walker Ward said.
Federal Greens leader Larissa Waters addressed the crowd, along with ousted Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather and representatives from unions, and community and faith leaders.
Other Greens and Labor politicians were also spotted in the crowd, including local councillors Seal Chong Wah, Trina Massey, Lucy Collier and Jared Cassidy, state Greens MP Michael Berkman, and state Labor MP Bisma Asif.
Brisbane’s rally was one of nearly 40 in towns and cities across Australia, for a day of action organised by the Palestine Action Group and endorsed by Amnesty International.
It comes three weeks after at least 90,000 pro-Palestine protesters walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, bringing Australia’s largest city to a standstill.
Loading
The Brisbane march had initially been planned to cross the Story Bridge, but after a protracted fight through the courts, organisers from the activist group Justice for Palestine Magan-djin announced an alternative route on Friday.
Protest organiser Remah Naji addressed the crowd on Sunday, accusing Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of having “denied solidarity to a grieving community” for opposing the Story Bridge plan.
Protesters booed as Naji referenced their court battle against Queensland Police and the Brisbane City Council, adding: “Those institutions walked right into our trap.”
Chandler-Mather made his first high-profile speech since losing the electorate of Griffith, using the platform to take a swipe at the party that ousted him at the last election.
“Labor and the Liberal Party are relying on the fact that you will lose hope,” he told the crowds in Queens Gardens. “They will do everything they can to demobilise this movement for peace. We cannot let them win.”
Noor Bibi, Kathleen Norton and Chels Hood Withey travelled from the Northern Rivers for the rally.Credit: Brittney Deguara
Friends Noor Bibi, Kathleen Norton and Chels Hood Withey travelled from the Northern Rivers to take part in the rally.
“After we marched with 300,000 people in Sydney across the Harbour Bridge calling for sanctions on Israel, we saw only aid being increased by the Albanese government,” Bibi says.
“We know that aid is not getting into Palestine. [What we really want is our government] to sanction Israel [and to] protect the lives of innocent people.”
Sisters Jennifer Howse and Andrea McCourtie told this masthead they had never attended a rally until they became involved in advocacy for Palestine.
Sisters Jennifer Howse and Andrea McCourtie.Credit: Brittney Deguara
Howse said she often wondered why she had not protested wars in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan, but “I’m making a stand now”.
McCourtie said she was motivated to add her voice to the thousands calling for an end to Israel’s assault on Gaza. “The genocide is just getting out of control. It has to stop.”
A Palestinian man named Sameer fronted the gathering in Queens Gardens, starting a chant “when land is occupied, resistance is justified”.
“What has been taken from us by force, we only can take it back by force,” he said.
Organisers estimated at least 30,000 people joined the march.Credit: William Davis
“If someone punches you, you will punch back when there is no law to protect you … We haven’t forgotten and we will not forget. We haven’t forgiven and we will not forgive.”
Queensland Police said they were aware of reports that a Hamas flag was flown at the protest. Wildman said it was a Commonwealth offence, and was being taken very seriously.
“It is being investigated … we are keen to speak to that particular male and the investigation is very much alive,” he said.
A photograph of the Brisbane rally shows what appears to be the Hamas flag in green and white.Credit: William Davis
Keffiyehs – a type of Middle Eastern scarf that has come to symbolise the pro-Palestine movement – were being sold to raise money by various groups, and ran out before speeches began at 1pm.
As the crowd reached South Brisbane, they were met with a small group of counter-protesters.
One man hung a flag over the Cultural Centre busway overpass, making rude gestures to protesters and shouting the national anthem out of key. He was pulled away by police about 3.15pm.
Speaking through a megaphone, activist Phil Monsour told those arriving at Musgrave Park: “You’ve just been on one of the biggest political marches in this city’s history.”
“We are a small city, we’re not Sydney, but we have a big heart.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Read the full article here
