Pro-Palestine Protests Sweep across Australia, Demanding Justice for Gaza
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Pro-Palestine protesters gathered in large numbers across Australia on Saturday, declaring their stance for justice and humanity.
Thousands participated in rallies in various cities, including Sydney, Perth, Hobart, and Brisbane, while concerns about the ongoing conflict in Gaza continued to emerge.
In Sydney's CBD, thousands of protesters marched with police approval. At Sydney's Town Hall, demonstrators chanted slogans such as "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "in our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians." A significant police presence ensured the event's security.
Campaigner Assala Sayara expressed the protesters' message, stating, "Today, we have come to tell the world that we stand on the right side of justice" and affirmed their commitment to humanity.
Sydney protest organizer Fahad Ali highlighted increasing awareness among Australians, including frontbench politicians Ed Husic and Anne Aly, about the situation in Gaza. He emphasized their successful collaboration with the police to make the event a reality.
In addition, prayers were held, and marchers waved Palestinian flags as they walked from Town Hall to Belmore Park. The event saw over 800 police officers, and an estimated 15,000 people attended the rally without any reported arrests or injuries.
The organizers maintained a focus on the core message of supporting a free Palestine.
Protester Vicky Tzioumis from Manly expressed her participation, saying, "Israel is not playing by the rules; it's shameful."
The rallies also aimed to end the Israeli blockade of Gaza and underscored the injustice Palestinians face. Organizers across the country aimed to ensure that the message remained focused on supporting Palestine.
Pro-Palestine protests were planned in Melbourne and Adelaide for the following day, while similar demonstrations took place worldwide, including in Montreal, Athens, Barcelona, and Paris.
Campaigners stressed the need for immediate action to call for a ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid reaches civilians in the midst of a humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
Israeli bombardments began in early October that led to a killing of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Gazans are facing critical shortages of power and water, and the fuel for emergency generators is running out.