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Organisers of the pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for Sydney on Sunday have changed their plans in an attempt to stop police from shutting down the gathering.
Originally planned as a march from Town Hall, the protest is now planned to be a “static rally” at Hyde Park.
The organisers, Palestine Action Group Sydney, said the change was made to reduce the legal risks of the event.
“This will be a static rally, we will not march but we will be loud, we will be proud and we will show the state that we are in full support of the Palestinian people and will not bow down to their attempts to silence our movement,” it said.
The change has come after NSW Police said the organisers had not submitted a form for the protest the required seven days in advance of the march, meaning it would be an unauthorised protest.
A Jewish vigil in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last night attended by thousands was held with a large police presence in attendance, which NSW Police Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore said organisers were grateful for.
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Radmore said whether the pro-Palestine rally’s change of plans for the weekend would make the gathering a legal one was a matter for the NSW Police taskforce established to manage protests in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Asked about the legal difference between a protest and a rally, she said “that would be a question for the lawyers”.
NSW Police said they would address the media about the matter tomorrow morning.
Premier Chris Minns yesterday said he would deny any future pro-Palestinian protests after a rally outside the Opera House on Monday night ended after some marchers burnt an Israeli flag and chanted vile antisemitic messages.
“The idea that they’re going to commandeer Sydney’s streets is not going to happen,” Minns said, adding that organisers had shown their intentions were not peaceful.
The organisers had on Tuesday condemned the antisemitic demonstrations, saying they were carried out by a tiny minority of marchers.
Palestine Action Group Sydney has said anyone planning a similar display this weekend would not be welcome at its rally.
“The struggle for a free Palestine is an anti-racist struggle,” it said.
“We condemn and oppose all forms of racism, including anti-semitism and Islamophobia.
“Ours is a struggle against the state of Israel, not against Jewish people, many of whom oppose Zionism, and who have a long history of being part of our movement for a free Palestine.
“Anyone wishing to express anti-semitic views is not welcome at our protests.”
The 2.3 million Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip are currently without power under Israel’s retaliatory siege for Hamas’ terror attack last Saturday.
Around 1200 Palestinians have been killed by airstrikes on the enclave, while the death toll in Israel from Hamas’ assault is also around 1200.
