On August 3, 2025, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in a protest organized by the Palestine Action Group, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and increased humanitarian aid. Facing heavy rain and swirling winds, the crowd chanted “Ceasefire Now” and “Free Palestine,” many waving Palestinian flags and carrying pots and pans symbolizing starvation in Gaza .
New South Wales police estimated around 90,000 attendees, a figure exceeded expectations, while organizers claimed the crowd may have numbered up to 300,000 people . Independent analysis of aerial footage by Dr. Aldo Raineri suggested a turnout between 225,000 and 300,000, a mass demonstration rivaling Australia’s biggest protests in recent history .
Among those marching were public figures such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, federal MP Ed Husic, and former NSW Premier Bob Carr, though none addressed the crowd publicly . The protest remained peaceful throughout, with no arrests or injuries reported, though at one point police redirected the march to avoid a potential crowd crush at the bridge’s northern exit .
The scale of the protest triggered political debate. NSW Premier Chris Minns, who initially opposed the march due to safety concerns, acknowledged the importance of peaceful protest rights but stressed the need to balance them with public safety and infrastructure protection . Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the demonstration as peaceful, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to a two-state solution. However, the display of provocative symbols, such as portraits of Iran’s Supreme Leader and chants like “Death to the IDF”, sparked criticism from Jewish community leaders and Israeli officials .
The protest came just days after an international statement by more than a dozen nations, including Australia, expressed willingness to recognize the state of Palestine as a step toward a two-state solution .
