3 days ago
Queensland Police Service to take pro-Palestinian protest organisers to court over planned Story Bridge march
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) says it will take pro-Palestinian protest organisers to court in an effort stop a demonstration over Brisbane's Story Bridge this Sunday.
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin lodged an official notice of their plans for the march on August 7, which police said raised "public safety concerns" and could pose "significant disruptions to the the rights and freedoms" of others.
"The QPS respects the right to peacefully assemble; however, this must be balanced with the need to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the broader community," they said in a statement.
Both organisers and police had expressed a willingness to find a middle ground, but were unable to reach a resolution through mediation on Monday.
A QPS spokesperson said the service would now lodge documents in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in an attempt to stop the march from proceeding over the Story Bridge.
Organiser Remah Naj said the protest was "authorised under the Peaceful Assembly Act and also protected under the Human Rights Act".
"We are still marching across the Story Bridge on the 24th of August," Ms Naji said.
The Brisbane demonstration would follow similar marches in Sydney and Melbourne earlier this month in protest against the war in Gaza.
More than 100,000 people are estimated to have taken part in the march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Ms Naji said they were expecting around 7,000 people at the Brisbane march if it goes ahead.
