A pro-Palestine group has accused political leaders of interfering in police operations over its plans to march across an iconic Australian landmark.
The Palestine Action Group announced it would march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday.
But NSW Premier Chris Minns has opposed the move, saying he “cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos”.
Group spokesman Josh Lees has said the decision is not Mr Minns’ to make ahead of negotiations with police.
“Chris Minns is trying to interfere in police operations,” he told AAP.
The group was expected to hold discussions with police on Tuesday.
“If the police do decide they want to oppose our Form 1 application to march over the bridge, then they are obliged to take us to the Supreme Court,” Mr Lees said.
“And if that happens, we’ll fight them in court.”
The group lodged the application on Saturday in compliance with the required one-week notice for a demonstration, Mr Lees said.
“If the government’s position was that they need an extra week or two to plan this event, then of course we would welcome that,” he said.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has also said the protest should not take place on the bridge.
“There are plenty of other venues where the protesters can march,” Mr Speakman said.
The Police Association of NSW has supported the two political leaders, with president Kevin Morton calling for the acting commissioner to deny the application.
“The combination of protesters and vehicles travelling at those speeds is a recipe for disaster and a risk that this organisation cannot expose our members to,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
The action group has received support from other organisations over the protest, and expects more than 50,000 people to attend, Mr Lees said.
An alternative location should be found before Sunday but if the community sentiment is significant enough to warrant the use of the bridge, the government should work with organisers to plan for its use, Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said on social media.
“It would be an incredibly powerful symbol for our most iconic landmark to be the site of a demonstration against starvation in Gaza and in favour of lasting peace,” she said.
The bridge has previously been shut for separate demonstrations including the 2000 march for reconciliation which attracted more than 250,000 people.
The World Pride march and a film production also closed the bridge in 2023.
https://thewest.com.au/news/world/latest-palestine-protest-plan-could-be-a-bridge-too-far-c-19509961
