Organisers of a pro-Palestinian protest in Brisbane will march on an alternative route this Sunday after a court blocked their original plan to cross the Story Bridge.
The Queensland Magistrates Court ruled on Thursday that the march across the bridge would pose safety risks due to the size of the expected crowd and the complexity of the route. Protest organisers had initially sought to follow a route that mirrored recent large-scale rallies, including a demonstration on the Sydney Harbour Bridge that drew nearly 100,000 people.
Following the court ruling, Queensland Police Service (QPS) engaged with the group to negotiate a safe alternative. The organisers submitted a new Notice of Intention to hold a public assembly (NOI) under the Peaceful Assembly Act, proposing a march from Queens Gardens, across the Victoria Bridge, and ending at Musgrave Park.
The Brisbane Magistrates Court approved the revised route. QPS Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said the route is well-established and has safely accommodated protests in the past. “We are confident we can facilitate this proposed route safely and continue to support people’s right to protest without posing a risk to public safety or causing extensive disruption,” he said.
The revised march also allows police to free up resources to respond to other calls across the city. As standard, officers will maintain a presence to ensure public safety, manage traffic impacts, and respond to any incidents. Motorists are advised to avoid Brisbane City and Southbank or expect congestion between 12 noon and 4:30 pm.
Rally organiser Remah Naj said the group’s focus is on raising awareness about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, not on crossing the Story Bridge. “We will not be broken, and in the interests of public safety, we have negotiated a new route with police,” she said.
Queensland Police emphasised their support for peaceful protests, noting that in the past financial year, Brisbane police facilitated 485 protests, 368 authorised and 117 unauthorised, demonstrating their commitment to allowing lawful assembly while prioritising safety.