Protesters joining an historic pro-Palestine march on Sydney Harbour bridge have been told to stop due to "public safety".
Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters have been forced to stop or turn back after an overwhelming number of people tried to join.
Some reached the end of Sydney's famous Harbour Bridge after an historic march.
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Famous human right advocates including Julian Assange, who appeared carrying a huge banner, are there.
But texts have been sent telling protesters to stop due to "public safety", with police helicopters circling and telling people to stop.
Others are still in the city and have not even made it onto the bridge, it is understood.
Police warn protesters to avoid 'crowd crush'
Police have warned protesters to stop marching across to the northern end of the bridge over fears of crowd crush.
"Once the procession has come to a halt, protestors will be asked to turn around and walk back toward Wynyard to avoid a risk of injury due to the huge number of people taking part," NSW Police said in a statement.
"Police believe the safest route back is to walk back across the bridge given the huge numbers to avoid overwhelming the public transport system and a potential crowd crush scenario."
The protesters have been asked to stop the rally after the Sydney Harbour Bridge became dangerously congested.
Bridge may be closed for longer than planned
The sheer amount of protesters have made it difficult for police to re-open the bridge to traffic at 4pm as planned.
Transport NSW there is "no forecast for when the bridge will re-open".
"Motorists and public transport passengers should continue to delay non-essential travel in the Sydney CBD and North Shore," a spokesperson said.
"Those who must travel should allow plenty of extra travel time and consider alternative routes such as the Gladesville Bridge and Victoria Road."
Traffic is expected to remain heavy this afternoon and into the evening.
Protesters now being herded off bridge
Police have started to move along protesters on the Sydney Harbour Bridge after thousands flooded the landmark.
The volume of protesters posed a safety risk and police said they are now working to get everyone off the bridge safety in a "staged manner".
"Please remain calm and follow directions by police," NSW Police said in a geo-targeted text in the CBD.
Police tell protesters to stop heading to bridge
NSW Police have directed protesters to stop heading north towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge as it has become too congested.
"After consultation with protest organisers, we are asking everyone to stop walking north," police said in a statement.
"As soon as the march has stopped, we will look at turning everyone around back towards to city BUT it needs to be done in a controlled way in stages to keep everyone safe.
A geo-targeting alert has been issued to the Sydney CBD asking protesters to head back south.
'Too many people' on bridge, organisers say
Palestine Action Group, the organisers of the rally, have said "too many people" have tried to march across the bridge.
Protesters at the front of the group will cross the bridge and travel down a slip road into Bradfield Park.
"After the maximum number of people disperse that way, the rest will have to turn around and march back to the city," organisers said on Facebook.
NSW Police has also asked protesters to stop due to public safety risks.
"In consultation with the organisers, the march needs to stop due to public safety and await further instructions," a geo-located text from police reads.
Miserable day but demonstrators march on
The number of protesters marching across Sydney Harbour Bridge has grown into the thousands.
Crowds of demonstrators are braving the miserable weather to stand in the middle of the closed bridge and wave Palestine flags.
The protests have been peaceful.
The bridge is expected to remain closed until at least 4pm.
Authorities earlier warned motorists to avoid non-essential travel with heavy delays expected in the Harbour Tunnel, the key route for Sydneysiders when the bridge is inaccessible.
Another rally is underway in Melbourne.
Protesters reach Sydney Harbour Bridge
Protesters earlier marched from Wynyard to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which has been closed to traffic since 11.45am.
The ongoing rain hasn't deterred thousands from making the 550 metre walk from Lang Park in the CBD to the iconic landmark.
Police are now going to have protesters march back across the bridge once they reach the other side at North Sydney due to concerns for public safety.
Protesters were initially going to disperse in the North Sydney CBD however the bad weather and amount of people has resulted in the decision to make a U-turn.
"Protesters now have the option of walking to the end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then turning around and walking back to the Sydney CBD, which will be facilitated by specialist tactical police," said Operation commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson.
Counter-protesters detained in Melbourne
The sister march in Melbourne has kicked off.
Police moved to detain a counter-protester in the CBD as pro-Palestine marchers headed towards King Street Bridge.
It is unclear if any arrests have been made.
Sydney's train stations packed with protesters
Train stations across the city are dealing with more passengers than usual as protesters travel to the CBD to join the march.
The Metro is not running due to track work and Transport NSW warned earlier that delays and congestion could hit travellers.
Wynyard Station in the CBD, near the start of the march, was packed with people hoping to join the rally.
Thousands more expected to join march
Thousands of people are expected, organisers say.
"We're expecting thousands more," an organiser from Palestine Action Group said on Instagram.
"Don't let the rain put you off, come along."
Famous faces join protest
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has joined hundreds of other protesters in the Sydney CBD.
Assange is a vocal pro-Palestine supporter.
Former soccer star Craig Foster was also pictured at the protest alongside organiser Josh Lees.
It is understood the protesters will march towards the end of the bridge and immediately turn back around and disperse in the CBD.
Police close Sydney Harbour Bridge
It is expected the bridge will be shut down to traffic until 4pm today.
The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the pro-Palestinian protest, organised by the Palestine Action Group, after the NSW police commissioner sought to prohibit the march on public safety grounds.
Hundreds of officers have been deployed to target "unlawful and anti-social behaviour", NSW Police confirmed today.
"The first and upmost priority for NSW Police is always the safety of those protesting, other members of the public who may be impacted by the protest, and the officers involved in the operation," Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson said.
"Police will have a high-visibility presence at the operation today and will work with participants to ensure there are no breaches of the peace."
Drivers warned to avoid the city
Motorists have been asked to follow police advice and avoid the area unless essential.
The Sydney Metro network is closed today due to planned trackwork.
"It would have been great if we could have the metro operating but unfortunately that's not the situation today," Johnson said said.
Johnson told media today that extra transport staff will be on duty to help guide protesters and travellers back across to the southern side of the bridge.
"We're working hard with transport about how they're going to get back," Johnson said.
"It's going to be extremely busy."
Sydney's T1 North Shore line will be under the most pressure as protesters enter and leave the city today.
Police are also preparing for an "unknown number" of protesters to swarm the bridge, which could present a risk of crowd crushes.
"The numbers are unknown. We don't know," Johnson said.
"We're not sure of the numbers coming. We will have to deal with that as it progresses today.
"I've put some things in place to alleviate that."
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"We ask all the participants listen to police, be respectful, there will be large crowds. we will have to facilitate this carefully," NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna told the media yesterday.
"Nothing changes for us in the fact that people who come in to do the right thing and have a safe protest, then we will facilitate that, we will work with them.
"But if people come in to commit any type of offences, any anti-social behaviour or anything else that puts the public safety at risk, we will have no hesitation to take action."
Weather won't deter protesters in Sydney
Protest organisers have said the wet weather in Sydney won't dampen plans for the march.
"Rain, hail, or shine, we will free Palestine!" Palestine Action Group wrote on Facebook.
"We urge everyone to plan for a long day, bring wet-weather gear, plenty of water and snacks.
"Be patient and look out for each other. Today we march for humanity, to save Gaza!"
Thousands to descend on Melbourne CBD
A pro-Palestine protest on Melbourne's King Street Bridge has also kicked off today.
Thousands were expected to descend on the area after police requested they change their route over concerns emergency services vehicles won't be able to get through.
The march began at the State Library at 12pm.
Premier Jacinta Allen warned anyone who "disrupts" emergency services will be dealt with "swiftly" by police.
Pro-Palestine protests, which have taken place every week since October 7, 2023, have called for an immediate Israel ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza and are now marching to highlight the need for aid in the region.
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