Impact Level: Warning

Locations Affected: Sydney, Melbourne, New South Wales, Victoria, Australia

Tracking Id: RINTP298247301

Description:

As per reports, a pro-Palestine rally across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, led by the Palestine Action Group, will proceed as an authorised event on Sunday (03 August).

Supreme Court Justice Belinda Rigg rejected a police application to shut down the Sunday march on public safety grounds. However, New South Wales (NSW) Police have stated that the rally would be watched closely.

• In addition, another rally, in solidarity with the Sydney protest march, is scheduled to take place on Sunday (03 August) along the King Street Bridge in Melbourne. Protestors will likely descend on the bride as well as the CBD area.

Background:

The protest has garnered support from activists nationwide, human rights and civil liberties groups including Amnesty International, various churches, the Jewish Council of Australia, the nurses and midwives association and other trade unions, as well as several Members of Parliament and public figures such as former Socceroo Craig Foster.

Impact:

The Harbour Bridge is likely to remain closed from 1130-1600 hours. Traffic restrictions and diversions are likely to cause congestion along alternate routes.

Over 10,000 participants are anticipated, with plans for attendees to first gather at Lang Park, situated on the corner of York, Grosvenor and Lang streets and then approach the harbour bridge. Tight security and heightened Police deployments are anticipated as the rally is likely to draw mass participation as well as witness high high-profile presence.

• The rally in Melbourne will likely commence in the afternoon hours. Authorities have still urged protestors to relocate the march from the busy King Street Bridge.
• Although no change to their protest location has been confirmed so far, the possibility for a last minute change of protest site remains in Melbourne.

Recommendations:

Advised to have alternate routes mapped. The concerned bridges along with adjacent routes are likely to remain completely shut; therefore, have alternate routes mapped before commencing travel.

Refer to https://www.livetraffic.com/ for live traffic updates for Sydney; and https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/ for live traffic updates for Melbourne.

Sources:
• https://7news.com.au/news/sydney-harbour-bridge-rally-to-go-ahead-after-huge-court-win-for-palestine-supporters-c-19551353
• https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/find-another-route-police-warn-cbd-bridge-blockade-will-put-lives-at-risk-20250801-p5mjj3.html