NSW lawmakers defy government pressure to join Gaza solidarity march across Sydney Harbour Bridge

Department of Research, Studies and International News01-08-2025

In a bold stand against rising political suppression and state-backed intimidation, five Labor MPs in New South Wales have defied Premier Chris Minns’ stance by pledging to join a pro-Palestinian demonstration across Sydney Harbour Bridge this weekend. This act of defiance comes as police attempt to block the march in court, revealing deep fractures within Australia’s political establishment over the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza.

Labor MPs Stephen Lawrence, Anthony D’Adam, Linda Voltz, Cameron Murphy, and Sarah Kaine were among 15 NSW lawmakers who signed an open letter urging the government to ensure that Sunday’s event proceeds peacefully and safely. The letter underscores growing concern that the right to protest, especially in solidarity with Palestine, is being deliberately stifled.

NSW Police have escalated the matter to the Supreme Court in an attempt to label the demonstration “unauthorised.” If the court rules in their favor, participants would be stripped of certain legal protections and could be arrested if they continue with the planned route.

Stephen Lawrence, a member of the Legislative Council, issued a strongly worded statement condemning what he described as a dangerous “slow and steady demonisation of protest” in the state. Drawing a parallel to the police brutality witnessed during Sydney’s first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978, Lawrence warned against repeating history. “Our party was founded on protest and collective action,” he said. “I’m attending because I believe we need to change direction. What we are seeing is a cowardly surrender to reactionary politics.”

Lawrence added that although the circumstances surrounding the march are less than ideal, the protest has become inevitable due to the government’s mishandling of public sentiment and the broader issue. He also condemned Israeli violence in Gaza and criticized the complicity of Western governments, including Australia, in enabling such atrocities. His message was clear: participation in this protest is not just a political statement, but a moral imperative.

Independent MPs Alex Greenwich and Jacqui Scruby, along with Greens members Jenny Leong, Tamara Smith, Kobi Shetty, Sue Higginson, Cate Faehrmann, Abigail Boyd, and Amanda Cohn, also signed the letter. John Ruddick of the Libertarian Party added his support as well.

Greenwich, who represents Sydney in state parliament, stressed that this action is a reflection of widespread public outrage over the massacres in Gaza. Recalling his successful campaign to organize an LGBTQ march over the bridge during WorldPride, he dismissed official claims that the route was unfeasible. “We’ve done it before. It’s a powerful symbol of unity and resistance.”

On Tuesday, Deputy Police Commissioner Peter McKenna revealed that authorities had rejected the protestors’ proposed route to the U.S. consulate, an entity widely perceived by demonstrators as emblematic of Washington’s unwavering support for Israel, on the grounds of “safety risks.” Yet critics argue that the rejection is politically motivated, designed to silence dissent and avoid any embarrassment for American diplomats stationed in Sydney.

The protest’s organisers, the Sydney-based Palestine Action Group, remained resolute, declaring the march would proceed and that they would fight in court for their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Premier Minns attempted to walk a tightrope on Friday, acknowledging public concern over the situation in Gaza but insisting that any demonstration must comply with the court’s ruling. He suggested that alternative routes would still give participants “the opportunity to be heard”, a claim widely seen as an effort to deflect criticism without addressing the core issue: the Australian government’s unwillingness to take a principled stand against Israeli war crimes.

Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell echoed these sentiments, claiming that allowing a march across the bridge would cause logistical chaos, with potential traffic disruptions affecting more than 40,000 vehicles. However, protest organizers argue that the state is prioritizing convenience over justice.

Even if the Supreme Court backs the police, protestors may still proceed, though they risk arrest under harsh anti-protest laws, a troubling reminder of how far the Australian state is willing to go to suppress voices speaking out against Israeli impunity.

As the global resistance to Israeli occupation continues to grow, this protest in Sydney represents not only a rejection of Western hypocrisy but also a crucial affirmation of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.