World reacts to Sydney Harbour Bridge pro-Palestinian protest
But he said he was "surprised" by the sheer number of people who joined him in calling for an end to the war in Gaza — estimated by authorities to be more than 100,000 people — in rainy conditions.
"We as Palestinians are not alone ... We appreciate these efforts that support Palestine," he told ABC News.
Mr Badra, who is a PhD candidate in history and resistance now living in Sydney, has lost family in the conflict.
"My mother is still stuck in Gaza and my father was killed as a lack of medicine and food. My brother and his family disappeared ... they're under the rubble.
"We want the Australian government to intervene and to stop this starvation and genocide."
The International Court of Justice has not yet made a finding of genocide and the allegation is strenuously denied by Israel, as is claims of mass starvation in Gaza.
The protests have further fuelled political debate over Australia's position and response to the ongoing situation in war-ravaged Gaza.
The size of the march far exceeded organisers' expectations and has made international headlines in Israel, the UK and America.
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar criticised the demonstration, posting on X with an image of a protester, who appears to be holding a photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The distorted alliance between the radical Left and fundamentalist Islam is sadly dragging the West toward the sidelines of history," Mr Sa'ar said.
"In the picture: Radical protestors at Sydney Harbour Bridge today holding an image of Iran's 'Supreme Leader' — the most dangerous leader of fundamentalist Islam, the world's largest exporter of terror and a mass executioner.
"Australians, wake up!"
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was seeking a "phone call" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He told Sky News it was "provocative" to display an image of Iran's Supreme Leader but that the protest overall was peaceful.
"I don't believe that people should have been displaying photos of the Ayatollah Khamenei. I think that's provocative," Mr Thistlethwaite said.
"Nonetheless, Australians have the right to protest and, as long as you do it peacefully and in accordance with the law, which is what occurred on the weekend, then every Australian has the right to protest."
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chair Alex Ryvchin criticised the march and condemned the Palestine Action Group.
"Our national landmarks are there to bring Australians together. This march did not do that," Mr Ryvchin said in a statement.
"While the majority of those who marched were no doubt there in solidarity with Gazan civilians and do not harbour pro-Hamas views, the organisers are the same group that held a pro-Palestinian rally as the October 7 massacre was still unfolding.
"Any genuine concern for humanity would have also included the forgotten people held against their will in Gaza, the tortured and broken innocents held underground for nearly two years."
Federal Labor MP Ed Husic, who attended the march, told ABC Radio National Australian politicians have "underestimated" how strongly the community feels about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"It was a tremendous example to peaceful assembly of people coming out in force to let governments know how deeply they feel and how much they want governments to act on the concerns that they have," Mr Husic said.
"I think this is a moment, sort of wake-up call for Australian politics.
"When I looked in that crowd, yep, you had the people that you would expect that have been there from the start protesting, but there was a lot of middle Australia there, and I think that's something that can't be ignored."
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, who represents the inner-city seat of Sydney, told the Seven Network Australians have the right to protest peacefully.
"I think many, many Australians do want to send a message that there's just been too much death," she said.
"Too many people have lost their lives and we want to see the hostages returned, we want to see humanitarian access to Gaza, we particularly don't want to see children starving to death as a result of this conflict."
NSW Premier Chris Minns, who was opposed to the bridge march from the outset, acknowledged the massive turn out on Sunday but defended his position.
"Firstly, it was a massive crowd — over 100,000 people — and if the weather wasn't appalling, I think it would have been bigger than that maybe even double the size," Mr Minns said.
"There's no doubt there was a massive community demonstration, huge, from the perspective of Sydney.
"A lot of people were concerned about the situation in Gaza and had incredible empathy about the Palestinian children in particular but the entire situation. I accept that there's a huge groundswell in relation to that."
But Mr Minns fended off questions asking if he misread the community sentiment, and said he does not regret his opposition to the protest taking place on the bridge.
"Ultimately, my job is to be on the side of public safety and ensuring that people can live and work and protest and enjoy a city as big as Sydney. It's not an easy thing to get right," he said.
"It's a difficult one for the government. We have to balance public safety [and] the public's right to protest."
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