The pro-Palestine march across Sydney Harbour Bridge, which organisers say were attended by around 300,000 people, has sparked debate about the regular use of critical infrastructure for protests.

Council of the City of Sydney

A large protest took place on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with organisers claiming around 300,000 participants, including notable political figures. Despite earlier warnings of potential disruption, the demonstration remained peaceful and safe, exceeding expectations in size even with poor weather conditions.

The event has led to debate within government and law enforcement about the precedent set by a court decision allowing the march, raising concerns over the regular use of the bridge for protests. The opposition has called for a user-pays system due to the significant costs incurred for policing and managing the event. Organisers from the Palestine Action Group have announced plans for further protests, but stated they do not intend to use the bridge again in the near future.

Hundreds of thousands flood Harbour Bridge in pro-Palestine protest

Having warned of potential chaos, the Premier is now praising protesters, organisers and police. People came to the protest and acted peacefully, over 100,000 people, and if the weather wasn't appalling, I think it would have even been bigger than that, maybe even double the size. There was no chaos, it was a very safe demonstration, and that's despite the fact that it was much bigger than any of us anticipated. Organisers claim around 300,000 people, among them a former Labor Premier and members of Chris Minzer's own Labor Caucus and Cabinet. Once it was a legal march and the court made the decision, they had every right to go and they feel very passionately about it. But that court decision is now being examined. There are concerns within government and law enforcement the Supreme Court may have set a precedent. No one should assume it's open season on the bridge. We're not going to have a situation where the anti-vaxxer group has it one Saturday and then the weekend after that, critical mass takes over, and then the weekend after that, we have an environmental cause. Once one group has it, where do you draw the line? Hosting a community cabinet in Cromer, the opposition is calling for a user-pays protest system. The estimated cost to taxpayers for extra police resources and overtime yesterday is in the millions of dollars. We should not be using critical infrastructure to host protests. It wasn't just the Sydney Harbour Bridge that was impacted by the protest. It was all the arterial roads that also led into the CBD. I don't think anyone is saying it would be reasonable to try to have protests over the bridge every week. The Palestine Action Group will now seek to build on yesterday's momentum. They are already planning their next major protest, a national day of action on Sunday, August 24. And while they are yet to announce a location, it will not be on the bridge. We're not planning to march over the Sydney Harbour Bridge again any time soon. Yeah, we have no plans to do that. Nor are they planning, though, on letting this groundswell subside. Lachlan Kennedy, 10 News.

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