Organisers of a pro-Palestinian protest have vowed to march on a different route, after a court banned a proposed rally across Brisbane’s Story Bridge this weekend.<\/p>\n
A Queensland court on Thursday ruled police had demonstrated there would be safety risks should the march over the bridge go ahead due to its size and the route’s complexity.<\/p>\n
The Sunday protest is part of nationwide action against the ongoing war in Gaza.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Friday evening, organisers confirmed they would march on an alternative route.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Remah Naj says the planned protest was never about the Story Bridge but rather raising awareness of the ongoing war in Gaza.\u00a0 (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Rally organiser Remah Naj said the group had succeeded in getting “visibility” without even needing to physically cross the bridge.<\/p>\n
The group’s plans followed a recent demonstration which attracted almost 100,000 protesters who shut down the Sydney Harbour Bridge.<\/p>\n
Organisers had indicated approximately 7,000 people were expected to attend the rally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Police had told the court they were concerned about the crowd’s size, traffic impacts and that protesters would be able to access the bridge’s footpaths, which have been closed to pedestrians since March due to structural issues.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Ms Naj described the situation as one of “blatant political repression”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We will not be broken and in the interests of public safety … we have negotiated a new route with police,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Police called for peaceful ‘rally’<\/p>\n
Acting Assistant commissioner Rhys Wildman has urged people not to participate in a protest this weekend. (ABC News: Kimberley Bernard)<\/p>\n
On Friday morning, Queensland Police Service (QPS) Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman told ABC News Breakfast police would reach out to organisers to see what could be facilitated.<\/p>\n
“They’re more than able to meet … hold a rally and get their messaging across to the community,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n