Tens of thousands of people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday, braving cold and rainy weather to call for an immediate end to the Israeli genocide and starvation policies in Gaza and to raise awareness of the worsening humanitarian crisis, particularly the starvation of children.
The landmark bridge was closed to traffic at 11:30 a.m., as demonstrators gathered in Lang Park in central Sydney before walking north toward Bradfield Park on the other side of the Harbour.
The protest, organized by the Palestine Action Group, drew massive crowds. While police informed organizers that approximately 100,000 people were present, a spokesperson for the group estimated attendance at closer to 300,000.
This marks the first time the Harbour Bridge has been closed for a public demonstration since the 2023 World Pride march, which drew around 50,000 participants.
The protest comes amid growing international condemnation of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, where the death toll continues to rise and a strict blockade has led to widespread famine. Australia is facing increasing pressure to recognize Palestinian statehood, following recent announcements from France, Canada, and the UK that they may do so – with conditions – at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.
