The Queensland Police Service (QPS) plans to take legal action against the organisers of a proposed pro-Palestinian march scheduled for August 24, 2023, over Brisbane’s Story Bridge. The group, known as Justice for Palestine Magan-djin, submitted an official notice for the demonstration on August 7, prompting police to express concerns regarding public safety and potential disruptions to the rights of others in the area.
In a statement, the QPS acknowledged the importance of the right to peaceful assembly but emphasized that this must be balanced with the need to protect the community and minimize disruptions. They stated, “The QPS respects the right to peacefully assemble; however, this must be balanced with the need to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the broader community.”
Despite both sides demonstrating a willingness to negotiate, mediation efforts on Monday did not yield a resolution. Consequently, the QPS spokesperson confirmed that the police service will file documents in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, seeking to prevent the march from proceeding.
Organiser Remah Naji remains resolute about holding the protest, asserting that it is legally authorised under the Peaceful Assembly Act and protected by the Human Rights Act. “We are still marching across the Story Bridge on the 24th of August,” Ms. Naji stated firmly.
This planned demonstration follows a similar event that took place earlier in the month, where over 100,000 people participated in a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to protest against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Ms. Naji anticipates that around 7,000 participants will join the Brisbane march if it proceeds as planned.
As the situation develops, both the police and protest organisers appear poised for a legal showdown that will determine the future of the demonstration. The outcome may set a precedent for how similar events are managed in the future, balancing the rights to protest with community safety considerations.
