The largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in Australia’s history are planned for this Sunday, 24 August, as a broad national coalition combining every major Palestine organising group in the country unites for a national day of action.
Marches are being organised for Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle, Central Coast, Katoomba, Port Macquarie, Tathra, Bathurst, Pine Gap, Geraldton, Townsville, Cairns, Warrnambool, Canberra and Coffs Harbour. Some of these places will be hosting their first ever protests for Palestine.
Organisers say the marches are backed by key union federations including Victorian Trades Hall Council, Unions NSW, Hunter Workers, Unions WA, and South Coast Labour Council. This is the first time union federations have backed Palestine action in any coordinated way.
The Albanese government has sought to respond to the growing public pressure to stop Israel’s siege and assault on Gaza by raising the question of symbolic recognition, but spokespeople for the pro-Palestine movement, described as the largest ongoing anti-war movement for generations, have made it clear that that they insist on action to try to end the ongoing genocide, not more words.
They are calling for sanctions against Israel.
Enormous numbers
Palestinian organiser Mai Saif said, ‘So many people are disgusted at the scenes of men, women and children being deliberately starved and bombed to death by Israel.
‘We will be taking to the streets in enormous numbers, in at least 21 cities and towns across the country.’
National organiser Jasmine Duff said, ‘We call on those with any ounce of humanity to march on August 24 in every pocket of Australia, from the capital cities to our most isolated towns.
‘History must record that when our government armed a world-historic genocide, Australia said not in our name. We will not condone a single weapons component or scrap of steel provided by our government to arm Israel as it slaughters and starves the people of Gaza.’
National organiser Josh Lees said, ‘Albanese has attempted to buy off the Palestine movement by recognising the same state his government is helping to destroy. We made history when we marched on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and we will make history this Sunday by flooding the country with marches for Palestine.
‘If you’ve watched in horror as mass starvation grips Gaza, and as our government continues to arm Israel, this is the moment to join the movement in the streets.’
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