logo
Huge call on city's bridge protest

Huge call on city's bridge protest

Perth Now17 hours ago
Pro-Palestine protesters have been dealt a huge blow in their bid to march across Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge, after a court blocked the planned demonstration.
Orders were being sought by Queensland Police to block the march by the Justice for Palestine (JFP) Magan-djin (Brisbane) group, which would have crossed the Story Bridge. Protest organiser Remah Naji was taken to court by Queensland Police in their bid to block a protest on the Story Bridge in Brisbane from going ahead.. NewsWire/Tertius Pickard Credit: News Corp Australia
Up to 7000 people could march but that number could go as high as 10,000.
In a legal challenge lodged to the Brisbane Magistrates Court, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) argued the march posed too great of a risk to the public. The group were aiming to replicate huge demonstrations across Sydney and Melbourne earlier this month. NewsWire / Brendan Read Credit: News Corp Australia
On Thursday, the order to allow protesters to cross the bridge was refused by chief magistrate Janelle Brassington.
She acknowledged the group's 'good intentions' in organising the march and attempting to mitigate any risks that might be posed to public safety.
But Ms Brassington said the group did not have the relevant expertise or experience to manage these risks, and risked hindering emergency services - even if the group were to keep a single lane of the bridge open.
More to come .
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Unacceptable': Aus slams Israel move
‘Unacceptable': Aus slams Israel move

Perth Now

timean hour ago

  • Perth Now

‘Unacceptable': Aus slams Israel move

Australia has joined a contingent of more than 20 countries in condemning a major settlement project greenlit by the Israeli government, claiming it would make a two-state solution with Palestine 'impossible'. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, alongside the UK's David Lammy and a number of other foreign ministers, lashed Israeli plans to expand settlements into contested areas of the West Bank in a joint statement labelling the move 'unacceptable' and a 'violation of international law'. The contentious settlement - now known as E1 - was approved by Israel's Higher Planning Committee and would see some 3400 homes built just east of Jerusalem. Australia was one of 21 countries to sign the statement. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia The plan was announced last week by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said the move was a 'significant step that practically erases the two-state delusion and consolidates the Jewish people's hold on the heart of the Land of Israel'. 'The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not by slogans but by deeds. Every settlement, every neighbourhood, every housing unit is another nail in the coffin of this dangerous idea,' he said. In response, Australia and its counterparts called in 'the strongest terms' for the immediate reversal of the approved plans. Benjamin Netanyahu declared Anthony Albanese's reputation would be 'forever tarnished' by his recognition of a Palestinian state. Sky News Credit: Supplied 'The Government of Israel still has an opportunity to stop the E1 plan going any further. We encourage them to urgently retract this plan,' the statement read. 'Minister Smotrich says this plan will make a two-state solution impossible by dividing any Palestinian state and restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem. This brings no benefits to the Israeli people. 'Instead, it risks undermining security and fuels further violence and instability, taking us further away from peace.' The government overnight also signed a letter demanding that international media be allowed access into Gaza and journalists operating in the war zone be afforded additional protections. That statement, signed by 26 other countries, called for the end of Israel's press block 'in light of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza'. The statement follows a dramatic deterioration in relations between Australia and Israel. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: NewsWire 'We, the undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition, urge Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza,' the statement read. 'Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively.' The moves made by the Labor government follow a dramatic deterioration in relations between Australia and Israel, with Benjamin Netanyahu declaring Anthony Albanese's reputation would be 'forever tarnished' by his recognition of a Palestinian state.

Brisbane's pro-Palestine protest blocked from Story Bridge over safety concerns
Brisbane's pro-Palestine protest blocked from Story Bridge over safety concerns

Sky News AU

time2 hours ago

  • Sky News AU

Brisbane's pro-Palestine protest blocked from Story Bridge over safety concerns

Pro-Palestinian protesters will not be allowed to march on Brisbane's Story Bridge this weekend after Queensland's Chief Magistrate deemed the demonstration too risky. The rally, expected to draw up to 10,000 participants on Sunday as part of a nationwide protest against the Middle East conflict, was denied approval amid concerns about inadequate police resources at short notice. The group was offered two alternative routes, including Victoria Bridge. Organisers claim they are still planning on assembling peacefully at Raymond Park.

As Israel pushes on with Gaza City invasion, Palestinians trapped there are protesting
As Israel pushes on with Gaza City invasion, Palestinians trapped there are protesting

ABC News

time3 hours ago

  • ABC News

As Israel pushes on with Gaza City invasion, Palestinians trapped there are protesting

Palestinians in Gaza City have taken to the streets to demand an end to Israel's war in the strip, as Benjamin Netanyahu approved military plans for the full takeover of Gaza's largest population hub. Surrounded by a destroyed cityscape, hundreds of Palestinians trapped in one of the few remaining areas not under Israeli control marched, calling for an end to the war and a stop to Israel's invasion. The rally came hours after Israel announced it had begun its mission to occupy the area, in its pursuit of what it claims is one of Hamas's final strongholds. "This protest is an expression of the people's anger at the tragic state they face in the Gaza Strip," Abu Al-Waleed Al-Zaq, 70, told the ABC. "We're calling with a loud voice for an end to this tragedy, for an end to this assault that is being perpetrated against our people. "Gaza has been fully destroyed. "We must all band together and say stop this monstrous attack … enough, enough, enough." The Israeli military already controls more than 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip, but it has not occupied Gaza City. Evacuation warnings — or displacement orders, as they are regularly referred to by the humanitarian community — apply to more than 80 per cent of the war-ravaged territory. Israel has now called up 60,000 reservists to bolster its ranks ahead of its mission to invade Gaza City, which will forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of people south. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to the border of Israel and Gaza to meet with military leaders, with the Israeli security cabinet approving the military's plans for the campaign — something that was largely a formality, given it had agreed to the occupation plan in principle a week ago. Palestinians from all walks of life joined the protest in Gaza City to express their anger at the prospect of being displaced again. "The world must realise that Palestinians are not just death and destruction, they are maintaining their right to remain and struggle against the ongoing war of displacement, and the war of genocide," human rights activist and political analyst Mustafa Ibrahim, 63, told the ABC. "It's also important to show that unity is the path to salvation, despite all this destruction and killing. "This is important to confront the occupation and tell the world we are staying here. "We are still living through the ongoing starvation and killing war, this is important for the world to realise that Palestinians have not remained silent. "Their steadfastness and patience in the face of all these crimes is against this policy of genocide, displacement, and engineered starvation." Protesters carried Palestinian flags and signs displaying messages such as "stop the genocide." Some of the protesters who spoke to the ABC also had criticism for Hamas, demanding the militant group reach a ceasefire agreement with Israel. They urged the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank to intervene. "We, amid Gaza's destruction and genocide, make a last call to the Palestinian negotiators to end the war immediately," Mohamed Al-Aswad, 60, said. "Enough bloodshed, enough bloodshed, enough bloodshed! '"Our Palestinian people want to live in peace and security. "To the free world who stands with our people, to the Arab world and leaders, to President Abu Mazen [Mahmoud Abbas], you are our father and Gaza is part of you." Ziad Al-Najjar, 55, secretary of the Lawyers' Syndicate, said Israel had gone far beyond targeting Hamas. "This Zionist project to forcibly kick the Palestinian people out must end … it has become clear this is a one-sided war to eradicate the Palestinian human and take an empty land," he said. "The Israeli occupation has made many threats, and entered the whole strip, destroyed most of it, leaving only the humans who have lost so much, so we are not afraid of these threats, but are still calling for this invasion to be stopped. "Hamas must work to end this war, because it caused it, and it must stop it immediately and to end its rule of the strip and give power to the Palestinian Authority." Even with the Israeli operation in its early stages, strikes had already begun in some suburbs of Gaza City, including the Sabra, Zeitoun and Tuffah neighbourhoods. The IDF said it had alerted international humanitarian agencies and local medical authorities operating in northern Gaza of its plans to occupy the area on Tuesday, telling them to evacuate patients to the southern reaches of the strip. It prompted an angry response from Palestinian health authorities. "The Ministry of Health expresses its rejection of any step that would undermine what remains of the health system following the systematic destruction carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities," it said in a statement. "This step would deprive more than 1 million people of their right to treatment and put the lives of residents, patients, and the wounded at imminent risk." Benjamin Netanyahu said he had directed Israeli negotiators to press ahead with demands for the release of all hostages as part of any ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. Earlier in the week, Hamas had agreed to a proposal drafted by mediators Egypt and Qatar for a 60-day truce, during which time half of the remaining hostages would be freed. There are 50 Israelis still held captive in Gaza by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. The instructions to negotiators are effectively a rejection of that proposal — an unsurprising development, given the rhetoric surrounding the talks for a truce since the last ceasefire was shattered in March. Earlier, Mr Netanyahu claimed on Sky News that Israel was "on the verge of completing this war". For months, he has insisted that victory in Gaza was within grasp, or at the very least, intense fighting would soon finish, but the war is rapidly approaching its grim second anniversary with no clear end in sight. In a lengthy interview, with many references to Britain's wartime leader, Winston Churchill, Mr Netanyahu also revealed the prospect of a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas would not deter him from pressing ahead with Israel's Gaza City offensive. "We're going to do that anyway, that was never a question, that we're not going to leave Hamas there," he said. "I think President Trump put it best, he says Hamas has to disappear from Gaza. "It's like leaving the SS in Germany — you clear out most of Germany, but what, you leave out Berlin with the SS and the Nazi corps there? Of course not." Mr Netanyahu rarely speaks to the media — and when he does, favours conservative news outlets broadly supportive of the Israeli government. His language around refusing to halt the Gaza City campaign was likely directed at members of his own coalition cabinet. In what has become a familiar refrain, far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has reportedly threatened to quit the government if Mr Netanyahu agrees to any ceasefire deal. Mr Smotrich has made similar threats in the past but failed to follow through, although Israel's Channel 12 reported he told the families of hostages he issued the ultimatum to the prime minister personally. There are 50 Israelis still held captive by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Their families and supporters have demanded that the Netanyahu government accept a deal to end the war, accusing the prime minister of putting his own political ambitions ahead of ensuring their return. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said almost half a million people took to the streets of Tel Aviv last weekend to demand the government change course, fearing a delay in any deal with Hamas and the expansion of the IDF's offensive in Gaza City would threaten the lives of the hostages.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store