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.

Justice for Palestine said it had received support for the march from about 100 unions, civil society organisations, faith groups and community groups.

“I mean, we’re talking about a population that is being forcibly starved when food and aid trucks are only a few kilometres away,” Naji said.

“We want our government to sanction Israel in the same way we sanctioned Russia in support of the Ukrainian people.”

A march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that attracted more than 100,000 people earlier this month was initially rejected by police before the decision was overturned through a legal challenge.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said on Tuesday he supported the right to protest, but had concerns about inappropriate signs or slogans that had emerged at pro-Palestine marches in other cities.

“Every Australian has a right to protest. But, obviously, there are safety concerns,” he said.

“But also we need to think about the wider community safety as well. And so I wouldn’t like to see a situation that we saw in Sydney where there were photos of terrorist leaders being held up in the march. That’s not productive.

“We have a harmonious community here in Brisbane, and we want to keep it that way.”

Naji said previous marches in Brisbane had been overwhelmingly respectful, and marshals would be in place to clamp down on any antisocial or dangerous behaviour.

It remained unclear if a bike protest planned on the Story Bridge for the same day would go ahead. A spokesperson for police said no comment could be made.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.