Latest news with #RemahNaji
9 News
4 days ago
- Politics
- 9 News
'Public safety concerns' behind rejection of pro-Palestine march over Story Bridge in Brisbane
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Queensland Police say concerns over safety and disruptions were why they rejected a request for a pro-Palestinian protest to march over Brisbane's Story Bridge. Activist group Justice for Palestine logged an application last week to undertake a march through the streets of Brisbane on August 24 that they said would see 7000 people march over the Story Bridge. If approved, it would have followed a similar march that took place over the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this month, where an estimated 90,000 protestors marched on the iconic landmark. The pro-Palestine march over the Sydney Harbour Bridge attracted 90,000 people, nine times the number expected by organisers. (Janie Barrett) However, Queensland Police yesterday confirmed they had rejected Justice for Palestine's application to march over the Story Bridge. "The Queensland Police Service (QPS) advised the organisers the initial proposed assembly route was not authorised due to public safety concerns and significant disruption to the rights and freedoms of other members of the community," a police spokesperson told . "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." The spokesperson also confirmed a mediation process with the organisers of the protest had begun today to plan an alternate route for the march. Speaking to , rally organiser Remah Naji insisted the group would not back down despite the moves from Queensland Police. The Story Bridge is an iconic feature of Brisbane, and also an important road connection. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) "The cops can't stop us from exercising our fundamental rights to freedom of conscience and speech. The police can't shut down a massive expression of community concern," she said. The situation in Brisbane mirrors the one seen in Sydney earlier this month, where police and NSW Premier Chris Minns sought to block the march over the Harbour Bridge due to similar fears of safety and disruption. An 11th-hour decision from the NSW Supreme Court ensured the march went ahead. national Australia queensland Brisbane Protests Palestine Gaza police Politics CONTACT US
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Why aren't pro-Palestine protesters allowed to march across Brisbane's Story Bridge?
Pro-Palestine protesters say they will challenge the Queensland police service in court after a planned march over Brisbane's Story Bridge was denied authorisation. The two parties entered mediation on Tuesday ahead of a planned 24 August rally at the bridge as part of nationwide protests to demand an end to what they, alongside UN experts and special rapporteurs, Israeli and international human rights groups and scholars of genocide, describe as the starvation and genocide of the people of Gaza. Organiser Remah Naji says she hopes that a third-party mediator will resolve police concerns about the Story Bridge march, but that protesters were 'willing to go ahead with a court case' should talks break down. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin (Brisbane) has been holding regular protests in the city for the last 22 months since the escalation of the conflict in Gaza after Israel responded to Hamas' attack on 7 October 2023 with a full-scale invasion, bombardment and blockade of aid in the Gaza Strip. Police and protesters have worked together to ensure the demonstrations have been lawful and peaceful, with organisers promoting a family friendly atmosphere. Sign up: AU Breaking News email But with Israel poised to launch a major operation to seize Gaza City, an ever mounting death toll of Palestinian civilians and international aid workers and reporters – including the killing of prominent Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif and four of his colleagues on Sunday – and continued widespread malnourishment of children, Naji says it is time for the Justice for Palestine movement to 'step up'. 'It is not enough for us to just take our protest to the city and do a loop and come back,' Naji says. 'No, we need to reflect the urgency of the situation. We need the whole city to understand that we are standing against this genocide and that we demand more from our government, that it uphold our obligation under international law as signatory to the Genocide Convention. 'What we're hoping to do is to make sure that this protest is visible and it is powerful and communicates the urgency of the situation in Gaza.' Police say they would not authorise the Story Bridge march 'due to public safety concerns and significant disruption to the rights and freedoms of other members of the community'. But, the QPS says it is 'committed to working with organisers to identify an alternate route' and to 'engaging with people from across our culturally diverse society'. '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,' the QPS said in a statement. Police in New South Wales sought to deny legal protection to a planned protest over the Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this month – but that bid was overturned by the NSW supreme court at the 11th hour. Police say 90,000 people marched across that iconic structure, organisers put the figure at closer to 300,000 – regardless, the scale of the turnout ranks the protest as historic and the day went ahead without major incidents. In Melbourne on the same day, in contrast, pro-Palestine protesters were met by a wall of police in riot gear behind barricades and backed by a row of mounted officers and riot squad vans when they sought to cross the King Street Bridge. Should mediation between QPS and protest organisers fail, the matter will be escalated to the Brisbane magistrates court.
The Age
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
Story Bridge march rejected by police, organisers determined to go ahead
A pro-Palestinian march across Brisbane's Story Bridge would be unsafe and cannot go ahead, police have told organisers. The march, proposed for August 24 and expected to draw about 7000 people, would be the biggest-ever march for the cause in Brisbane and comes after more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian supporters flocked to Sydney's Harbour Bridge earlier this month. But organisers revealed on Tuesday the group had been told by police to choose another location which avoids the Story Bridge, citing safety concerns. Mediation between police and organisers began Tuesday, with organisers determined for the original plan, to begin at Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point and end at Centenary Park in Fortitude Valley, to go ahead. 'Our position is that we want to work with the police collaboratively to make it happen,' Remah Naji, an organiser with group Justice for Palestine in Brisbane, said. 'We will go there in good faith … however, if we feel like we've reached a dead end, then we will have to take it back to the group and make a decision. '[Legal action] it is on the table. I'm not saying that this is definitely what we will do, but it's definitely on the table.' A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed the group had been told the march across the bridge would not be permitted.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Story Bridge march rejected by police, organisers determined to go ahead
A pro-Palestinian march across Brisbane's Story Bridge would be unsafe and cannot go ahead, police have told organisers. The march, proposed for August 24 and expected to draw about 7000 people, would be the biggest-ever march for the cause in Brisbane and comes after more than 100,000 pro-Palestinian supporters flocked to Sydney's Harbour Bridge earlier this month. But organisers revealed on Tuesday the group had been told by police to choose another location which avoids the Story Bridge, citing safety concerns. Mediation between police and organisers began Tuesday, with organisers determined for the original plan, to begin at Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point and end at Centenary Park in Fortitude Valley, to go ahead. 'Our position is that we want to work with the police collaboratively to make it happen,' Remah Naji, an organiser with group Justice for Palestine in Brisbane, said. 'We will go there in good faith … however, if we feel like we've reached a dead end, then we will have to take it back to the group and make a decision. '[Legal action] it is on the table. I'm not saying that this is definitely what we will do, but it's definitely on the table.' A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed the group had been told the march across the bridge would not be permitted.
