Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters expected for 'historic' march across Sydney Harbour Bridge
Authorities have warned of disruptions in the CBD from as early as 11:30am, when the bridge closure will begin. There could also be delays on arterial roads into the city and impacts on public transport.
The outcome of the police-initiated court case means that participants will be afforded a level of protection against some acts that could otherwise constitute criminal offences.
But senior police leaders have said hundreds of officers will be around to facilitate a safe protest, warning that they won't hesitate to act if there's any antisocial behaviour or risks to public safety.
Justice Belinda Rigg, NSW Supreme Court judge, refused an application by NSW Police for court prohibition orders, which means the event is an authorised public assembly.
The key piece of legislation here is the Summary Offences Act.
Saturday's judgement said a section of that act provides that an attendee of an authorised assembly "will not, by reason of that participation, be guilty of any offence relating to participating in an unlawful assembly, or the obstruction of any person, vehicle or vessel in a public place".
It means participants will have a kind of immunity from being charged with potential offences like obstructing roads or traffic during the event.
But there are other sources of police powers within the law.
Justice Rigg said: "The police have other extensive powers to direct people, if necessary, for public safety, or in connection with possible criminal offending that are not affected by whether the assembly is authorised or not."
Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna was asked to clarify what powers police would have for the march.
"They're not exempt from malicious damage, they're not exempt from assaults, they're not exempt from hate speeches, hate crime, that sort of thing," he said.
"So, we will be closely monitoring to make sure this goes as well as possible, as safe as possible. But we call upon all the people coming … to listen to us, to act peacefully and respectfully."
The Palestine Action Group has regularly held marches in the CBD for nearly two years. Part of the evidence that helped decide the case was that the group had experienced marshals and a commitment to "prosocial" protests.
One of their organisers, Josh Lees, has said they will again have marshals and medics on Sunday, and that "everyone can feel very confident to come out … in huge numbers".
One word keeps coming up on this: significant.
While the march has been scheduled for 1pm, the bridge shutdown will begin about 11:30am, according to Craig Moran from Transport for NSW.
It may not reopen until 4pm or later.
The Harbour Tunnel will remain open, but will likely be busy.
Mr Moran said there will be flow-on consequences for arterial roads into the CBD and for the public transport system.
Buses may terminate at places they normally wouldn't, and the rail system will be "very busy", he said, although trains will still run across the bridge.
People have been urged to avoid non-essential travel on public transport where possible.
Organisers of the march had planned to start the event around Lang Park in the CBD. But plans changed on Saturday afternoon because police expressed concerns about that location.
Part of the fluidity here — and also part of how police tried to argue for a prohibition order — means uncertainty about the number of attendees.
According to Acting Deputy Commissioner McKenna, "the whole gambit of police" will be in attendance and they'll be "right along the route" of the march.
That includes the public order and riot squad, mounted police, traffic and highway patrol and general duties officers.
He said their aim will be to make sure the event is as safe and peaceful as possible.
He reiterated that "[if] anyone thinks they're going to come along and hijack this protest or do the wrong thing, police will take swift action".
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