NSW Police say they will not permit a pro-Palestinian march to cross the Harbour Bridge

Sky News AU

29-07-2025

New South Wales Police have said they will not grant permission for a pro-Palestinian protest to cross the Harbour Bridge on Sunday, as Sydney's Lord Mayor backs the demonstration.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna said organisers wanted to close the bridge to allow up to 10,000 to cross, and there was not enough time to do it safely.
He said that police had suggested alternative locations for the protest to take place and told reporters it was a matter of timing and public safety.
"The main rationale behind that, it's quite clearly public safety," he said.
"It would have a major disruption and effect on thousands of motorists … [it] would be a public safety risk that we cannot manage at this point in time."
The comments came after NSW Premier Chris Minns said the protest should be held elsewhere, and Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore posting on social media that the protest should be allowed.
In a social media post, the Palestine Action Group said the bridge had been closed in the past for major events and threatened to march over the bridge regardless.
The backing of the Lord Mayor has infuriated many people in Sydney, with 2GB radio host Mark Levy slamming the mayor for wanting the protest to go ahead.
He told listeners on his morning show 'So, Clover Moore thinks a powerful move for Sydney is a so called 'march for humanity' with pro-Palestinian activists walking over the Harbour Bridge, chanting things like 'death, death to the IDF' and holding up signs that say 'to the river to the sea."