Investigations launched into death chants and terrorist flags after major pro-Palestine demonstration on Sydney Harbour Bridge
Police estimated 90,000 demonstrators took part in the 'March for Humanity' through the heart of Sydney, which shut down the Harbour Bridge from 11.30am to about 5pm, although it was originally scheduled to end at 4pm.
Videos posted to social media depicted protesters chanting 'Free, free Palestine', 'In our thousands in our millions, we are all Palestinians', and "Death, death to the IDF; death, death to Netanyahu".
"The IDF are terrorists" was also chanted during the march on the Harbour Bridge, as Al-Qaida flags were allegedly waved. Al-Qaida is a designated terrorist organisation in Australia.
NSW Police told Sky News investigators in Sydney are investigating the audio of the chants and seeking legal advice.
Police are also "actively investigating" the identity of one woman who displayed a swastika placard and have spoken to the man wearing a jacket emblazoned with the words: "Death death to the IDF".
"The stills of and videos of flags are being assessed by specialist officers and Sydney City PAC is awaiting their advice," NSW Police said.
"Officers from Sydney City PAC stopped and spoke with the man wearing the jacket depicted and his details recorded. Legal advice being sought."
Following the protest, NSW Police expressed relief no one was injured or killed during the 'perilous' demonstration as officers 'had to scramble' to protect thousands from crowd crush.
On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Belinda Rigg rejected the bid to stop the march and said the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech outweighed any other argument.
'The march at this location is motivated by the belief that the horror and urgency of the situation in Gaza demands an urgent and extraordinary response from the people of the world,' Ms Rigg said.
Central Metropolitan Region Commander Adam Johnson said in his 35 years of policing he had never seen such a 'perilous' situation.
'I was honestly worried we were going to have a major incident with potential loss of life,' he said.
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