Hundreds of police officers gearing up for Melbourne pro-Palestine march on CBD set to block bridge
Victoria Police will have a "visible presence" in central Melbourne this weekend, with a pro-Palestine protest hoping to shut down a busy city bridge set to go ahead, despite police repeatedly urging protestors to change their plans.
The Herald Sun has reported hundreds of police officers are expected to be redeployed from other policing duties for the rally, which plans to shut down King St Bridge.
Police have said the event will affect access for emergency services and it will have "a number of resources" prepared to respond.
Free Palestine Coalition Naarm Melbourne has called for pro-Palestine ralliers to "BLOCK THE CITY FOR GAZA" on Sunday as protesters march from Victoria's State Library to the bridge, according to the group's Facebook page.
The march is being panned in "IN SOLIDARITY" with those intending to join a protest shutting down the Sydney Harbour Bridge, according to the group.
A Victoria Police spokesperson told SkyNews.com.au that police are aware that protestors are planning to block King Street bridge as part of the larger protest planned for Sunday.
"We have been engaging with the organisers and have made repeated requests for them to change their plans. At this point they have indicated they will continue with their plans," the spokesperson said.
"Not only would this cause significant impacts to the broader community enjoying their weekend in the city, it will also impact emergency services and those working in the city who require access.
"While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community."
Victoria Police will have a "visible presence" on Sunday, and will "continue to attempt to engage" with protesters ahead of the planned rally, police have said.
"We have a number of resources prepared to respond and our priority will be to keep the peace and ensure the safety of the community," the spokesperson said.
It comes as the Palestinian Action Group Sydney revealed in a statement on Sunday that protestors were seeking to march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on August 3 to send a 'powerful' message to the world amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza strip.
Despite the group calling on the NSW government to facilitate the March for Humanity, Premier Minns said in a statement that he could not support a protest of this 'scale and nature' on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, 'especially with one week's notice".
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