Defying heavy rain and earlier legal opposition, thousands of demonstrators marched across Sydney’s iconic Harbor Bridge on Sunday in a large-scale show of support for Palestinians and condemnation of "Israel’s" genocide in Gaza.

⁦@JulianAssange_⁩ and ⁦@antoinette_news⁩ spotted at the front of the march for humanity on the harbour bridge. pic.twitter.com/dp7xaAAsll

— Nabil Al-Nashar | نبيل النشار (@NabilAlNashar) August 3, 2025

The event, dubbed the “March for Humanity” by organizers, saw participants brandishing Palestinian flags and banging pots and pans, a symbolic gesture highlighting the widespread hunger and famine conditions in Gaza.

Assange walks in solidarity with Gaza

Among those taking part were WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and five Labor MPs, whose appearances drew attention amid the emotionally charged atmosphere.

Assange, who returned to Australia last year after his release from a high-security British prison, was pictured surrounded by family and marching alongside former Australian Foreign Minister and New South Wales Premier Bob Carr.

Pro-Palestine protesters, including Julian Assange, Bob Carr and Ed Husic, begin crossing Sydney Harbour Bridge. pic.twitter.com/tpTZA7BiWb

— carly earl (@carly_earl) August 3, 2025

A major pro-Palestine march (between 50,000-100,000 marchers reported marchers) is underway in Sydney, Australia, with crowds now crossing the famous Harbour Bridge.

At the front: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and five Labor MPs, who joined the demonstration in open defiance… https://t.co/CMy0CidkIq pic.twitter.com/q3xWMGkRSs

— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) August 3, 2025

The protest went ahead following a last-minute ruling by the New South Wales Supreme Court, which overturned efforts by police and Premier Chris Minns to block the bridge crossing on the grounds of public safety and traffic disruption.

The court’s decision cleared the way for the demonstrators to access the major Sydney landmark and transit route.

#FreePalestine #SydneyHarbourBridge #solidarity #protest #peace #FreeGaza #sydney #vivalapalestina 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

this bridge is over 1.1km long. please take 4:10m out of your day to watch pic.twitter.com/sROk3cV1b2

— marcus 🪬 (@tano_mrcs) August 3, 2025

Amid a heavy police deployment, New South Wales authorities warned protesters to remain peaceful, as part of what critics describe as an ongoing crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.

Court clears massive pro-Palestine March on Sydney Harbour Bridge

The New South Wales Supreme Court granted, on Saturday, legal protection to a planned pro-Palestine march, despite earlier police objections.

Justice Belinda Rigg ruled in favor of the Palestine Action group, affirming the protest's legitimacy and allowing the event to proceed with legal safeguards. "The march at this location is motivated by the belief that the horror and urgency of the situation in Gaza demands an urgent and extraordinary response from the people of the world," she stated in her judgment. "The evidence indicates there is significant support for the march."

Police had initially denied the group's application, citing the short notice and concerns over public safety, including the possibility of crowd crushes and the lack of a traffic management plan. But the court's ruling overruled that decision, effectively authorizing the protest and providing participants with legal cover under the Summary Offences Act. This includes immunity from charges such as traffic obstruction.

'Landmark victory'

Organizers welcomed the outcome, calling it a landmark victory. "This will be an enormous, family-friendly, and safe event for everyone. The police are now working with us," the Palestine Action Group declared online, describing the march as an "immense march for humanity."

Josh Lees, a spokesperson for the organizing group, argued in court that the march would serve as "an urgent and massive response" to the situation. Justice Rigg concurred, "The public interest in freedom of expression, at this time, in the manner contemplated, for the reasons advanced, is very high."

She further noted that public inconvenience alone could not be used to suppress political demonstrations. "If matters such as this were to be determinative, no assembly involving inconvenience would be permitted," Rigg said. "To deprive such groups the opportunity to demonstrate in an authorised public assembly would inevitably lead to resentment and alienation."

Rigg also rejected claims that her decision would justify violence or prevent emergency services from operating. "This decision should not be read as condoning antisocial behaviour or ambulances not getting to hospital on time," she clarified.

Read more: Australia police pepper-spray 13 y/o during Lebanon-Palestine protest

From opposition to logistical support

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna confirmed officers are shifting from opposition to logistical support. "We don't get into the politics," he said. "We enforce the law of the day and tomorrow these protests have been deemed authorised, so we will police it in that respect."

He said police units, including riot control, mounted divisions, and traffic patrol, will be deployed to maintain order. "Nothing changes for us in the fact that [if] people … come in to do the right thing and have a safe protest, then we will facilitate that … we will work with them," McKenna added. "But if people come in to commit any type of offences, antisocial behaviour, or anything else that puts public safety at risk, we will have no hesitation to take action."

Yasmin Catley, NSW's police minister, acknowledged the court's ruling. "Police, we believe, will be able to handle the protest on the bridge tomorrow, so long as people are peaceful, that they listen to what the police ask them to do," she said. "But make no mistake, there is going to be massive, massive disruption. So our message is, avoid the city if you can."

Conditional freedoms

Legal experts noted the decision does not grant unrestricted freedom for protesters. David Mejia-Canales from the Human Rights Law Centre explained that authorization "doesn't give people the ability to engage in all types and all forms of activism." He stressed the importance of adhering to the instructions of the organizers and marshals.

Under Australian law, protest rights are not explicitly enshrined in NSW statutes, but courts have recognized them as part of the implied constitutional right to political communication. 

Australia condemns Israeli starvation campaign in Gaza

Last week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese slammed Israeli claims that there is no starvation in Gaza as "beyond comprehension", following such allegations by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Embassy in Australia.

Albanese additionally raised concerns over "Israel’s" restrictions preventing journalists from entering the war-torn Palestinian territory, as the Greens party intensified pressure on the government by pushing for additional sanctions against members of the Israeli government.

During Labor’s caucus meeting, when asked by MP Ed Husic about Australia’s potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by condemning the Israeli government’s claims, referencing overseas reports of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks, as well as Australian media coverage of statements made by Israeli deputy ambassador Amir Meron.

Last month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, describing the situation as a "humanitarian catastrophe." He emphasized the urgent need to protect innocent lives and end the population’s suffering and starvation.

"Israel's' denial of humanitarian aid and targeting of civilians, including children seeking water and food, is indefensible and unacceptable," Albanese stated, as reported by Australian media.