Pro-Palestine Protesters to Challenge Police in Court Over Brisbane Bridge Rally

Pro-Palestine protesters are planning to hold a rally on Brisbane's Story Bridge to demand an end to what they describe as the starvation and genocide of the people of Gaza. However, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) has denied authorisation for the march, citing public safety concerns and potential disruption to the community. Organiser Remah Naji says the protesters are willing to challenge the decision in court if mediation with the police fails.

Key Takeaways:

• The protest is part of nationwide demonstrations to demand an end to the conflict in Gaza, with organisers describing it as a genocide.
• The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has denied authorisation for the march, citing public safety concerns and potential disruption to the community.
• The protest organisers are willing to challenge the decision in court if mediation with the police fails.
• The protest is part of a broader movement called Justice for Palestine, which has been holding regular protests in Brisbane for the past 22 months.
• The movement is demanding that the Australian government upholds its obligation under international law as a signatory to the Genocide Convention.
• The QPS has proposed an alternate route for the protest, but the organisers are challenging the decision to deny authorisation for the march.

Statistics:

• 22 months: the length of time the Justice for Palestine movement has been holding regular protests in Brisbane.
• 7 October 2023: the date on which Israel responded to Hamas' attack with a full-scale invasion, bombardment, and blockade of aid in the Gaza Strip.
• 90,000: the number of people who police in New South Wales say marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this month.
• 300,000: the number of people that organisers put at the Sydney Harbour Bridge protest, which was ultimately allowed to proceed after the NSW supreme court overturned an attempt by police to deny legal protection.

Sources:

• Sourced from "Pro-Palestine protesters say they will challenge the Queensland police service in court" (no date provided)
• Sourced from "Justice for Palestine Magan-djin (Brisbane) has been holding regular protests in the city for the last 22 months" (no date provided)
• Sourced from "Queensland police service will not authorise a march across the city's Story Bridge" (no date provided)
• Sourced from "Police say 90,000 people marched across that iconic structure, organisers put the figure at closer to 300,000" (no date provided)