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Palestine protesters forced into last-minute reroute
By Catherine Strohfeldt, William Davis and Courtney Kruk
Palestine supporters planning to march across Brisbane’s Story Bridge have been forced to reroute the protest following a drawn out court battle.
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin organisers revealed on Friday evening that protesters would now gather in Queens Gardens and cross the Victoria Bridge to finish their march in Musgrave Park.
Coming straight from the Brisbane Magistrates Court shortly before 5.30pm, organiser Remah Naji said the Story Bridge was no longer needed.
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin representatives including Remah Naji.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt
“We got the visibility of the Story Bridge without needing to cross it,” she argued.
She said Queensland Police and the Brisbane City Council had needlessly escalated the risk of crossing the Story Bridge, and had “threatened to use state violence against us”.
“This is blatant political oppression and it is reminiscent of Joh Bjelke-Petersen’s regime here in Queensland, which is widely known for its corruption and repression of freedom of expression and freedom to protest,” Naji said.
“We negotiated a new route for them in the interests of public safety.”
When asked whether some people might still show up at the old rallying point in Kangaroo Point, Naji said: “That’s not for us to worry about… we’re hoping for everyone to get this message.”
The group had originally intended to march activists from Raymond Park, in Kangaroo Point, to Centenary Park, in Fortitude Valley, covering all six lanes of the Story Bridge as some 7000 people crossed the Brisbane River.
Organisers had been in talks with police and council for more than a week, with the parties failing to come to an agreement on Monday and turning to the courts.
Queensland Police said in a statement on Friday evening that they supported the right to peaceful protests.
They had previously recommended the new route, as one of three options they had provided to protest organisers during negotiations and mediation.
“The QPS is confident we can facilitate this new proposed route safely and continue support people’s right to protest without posing risk to public safety or extensive disruption,” they said.
“The new route also frees up extensive police resources to continue to respond to calls when needed in the community.”
Pro-Palestine protesters march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on August 3.Credit: Getty Images
They urged motorists to avoid the Brisbane City and South Bank areas, or expect busy traffic and delays, from noon until 4:30pm on Sunday.
Naji told this masthead on Monday that the Story Bridge needed to be a part of the route because it would boost visibility.
“We’ve seen what happened at the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and that incredible show of solidarity to push the government to change the rhetoric and announce things like the recognition of Palestine,” she said.
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