The Queensland Police Service (QPS) will take organisers of a planned pro-Palestinian march to court in an effort to stop the event across Brisbane’s Story Bridge this Sunday.
Advocacy group Justice for Palestine Magan-djin lodged an official notice of the demonstration under the Peaceful Assembly Act on August 7. Police said the event raised “public safety concerns” and could result in “significant disruptions to 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,” a spokesperson said.
Attempts at mediation between organisers and police on Monday did not resolve the issue. Police will now lodge documents in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in an effort to prevent the march from going ahead.
Organiser Remah Naji said the protest is 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. The onus is now on the police to take us to court if they want to stop us from exercising our fundamental right,” Ms Naji said.
The Brisbane demonstration follows similar marches in Sydney and Melbourne earlier this month, with an estimated 100,000 people participating in Sydney. Organisers expect around 7,000 people to attend the Brisbane march.
Source: ABC