Tens of thousands of people filled Brisbane’s streets on Sunday, creating one of the city’s largest political demonstrations in decades as part of a nationwide call for action on the crisis in Gaza. Protest organiser Remah Naji described the turnout as a historic moment for the city, estimating up to 50,000 people attended. Queensland Police later disputed the number, insisting the crowd was closer to 10,000.
Regardless of the final figure, the rally’s scale was undeniable. From the steps of Queens Gardens, the march stretched back for several city blocks, with many people unable to hear speeches before the crowd began moving across the Victoria Bridge toward Musgrave Park. For two hours, the streets of Brisbane’s CBD and South Brisbane were filled with the sound of chanting, drumming and thousands of Palestinian flags and placards.
The demonstration was part of a coordinated day of action held across nearly 40 Australian towns and cities. Brisbane’s turnout followed a massive protest in Sydney three weeks earlier, where an estimated 90,000 people walked across the Harbour Bridge. Together, the rallies signalled a growing wave of public pressure on the Albanese government to shift its policy on Israel, which has faced accusations of genocide in Gaza.
A message for Canberra
Naji, who helped lead the march under the banner of Justice for Palestine Magan-djin, said the protest was about more than symbolism. She directly addressed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling on him to impose sanctions on Israel and accusing his government of failing to act in line with international law.
“We want this government to sanction trade,” she told the crowd. “This should send a clear message that there is no amount of rhetoric, no amount of statements and condemnations that will absolve them of the responsibility to act in accordance with international law to prevent and punish genocide. Prove you are not entirely disconnected, because we are watching and we will not stop.”
Her remarks were met with loud cheers from the thousands packed into the park. Many attendees carried banners that read “Stop the genocide,” “Sanctions now,” and “Free Palestine.” Others painted Palestinian flags across their cheeks or wore keffiyehs, the traditional black-and-white scarf that has become a global symbol of solidarity with Palestinians.
Families on the front line of protest
Among the crowd were four generations of the Walker family, who said making the journey into the city was a matter of conscience. Vanessa Walker explained that she wanted her grandson Franklin, aged six, to grow up with a strong sense of social justice.
“They are hurting children, and children do not have food, and that is just not good enough any more. So I feel like everyone has to do something,” she said.
Her daughter, Carmen Walker Ward, agreed. “We want Franklin to grow up with that sense of social justice as well,” she said, adding that the rally offered an important lesson about standing up for others.
Stories like theirs were repeated throughout the crowd. Sisters Jennifer Howse and Andrea McCourtie said they had never attended a protest until they became involved in advocacy for Palestine. “I often wondered why I had not protested wars in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan,” Howse admitted. “But I am making a stand now.” McCourtie added: “The genocide is just getting out of control. It has to stop.”
Political voices and a legal battle
The protest also drew politicians, union leaders and faith representatives. Federal Greens leader Larissa Waters addressed the crowd, joined by former Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather, who delivered his first major speech since losing his seat of Griffith. Chandler-Mather told demonstrators not to give up hope despite political setbacks.
“Labor and the Liberal Party are relying on the fact that you will lose hope,” he said. “They will do everything they can to demobilise this movement for peace. We cannot let them win.”
Other politicians were spotted among the marchers, including Labor and Greens councillors and state MPs. Their presence reflected the deepening political resonance of the Palestinian cause in Australia, where foreign policy debates are increasingly spilling onto the streets.
Brisbane’s rally had originally been planned to cross the Story Bridge, but organisers were blocked after a protracted legal fight with Queensland Police and the Brisbane City Council. On Friday, just two days before the protest, the group announced an alternative route over the Victoria Bridge. Naji used her speech to accuse Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of “denying solidarity to a grieving community” for opposing their plan, a comment that drew loud boos from the crowd.
Police response and controversies
Despite the size of the protest, police described the march as overwhelmingly peaceful. However, controversy arose when a green-and-white Hamas flag was reportedly displayed during the event. Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in Australia, and displaying its symbols constitutes a Commonwealth offence.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman confirmed the matter was under investigation. “It is being taken very seriously, and we are keen to speak to that particular male,” he said. “It is disappointing that in amongst a protest group where the majority of people are trying to get a particular message across, there are still individuals that will do their own actions and behave in a way that is not in keeping with the rest of the community.”
Only One Person Detained at Brisbane Rally
The only person detained at Brisbane’s pro-Palestinian rally was a 52-year-old man waving an Australian flag and wearing a shirt reading “victims don’t hold hostages.” He had climbed onto a South Bank overpass above the march, where he shouted the national anthem, hurled insults, and made rude gestures at protesters below. Tensions rose as marchers booed in response, prompting police to remove the man from the area for allegedly breaching the peace.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman confirmed the man was not arrested and was released without charge. He said the detention was largely for the individual’s own safety and emphasised that the action did not reflect on the wider protest, which remained peaceful. The incident sparked viral claims on social media, with some alleging the man had been arrested solely for displaying the Australian flag, a claim police have firmly denied.
A movement gaining momentum
As marchers arrived at Musgrave Park, they were welcomed by community organisers and musicians. Keffiyehs being sold by local groups had sold out long before the speeches began at 1pm, with proceeds directed toward humanitarian relief. Activist Phil Monsour used a megaphone to rally the crowd, telling them: “You have just been on one of the biggest political marches in this city’s history. We are a small city, we are not Sydney, but we have a big heart.”
Brisbane’s protest was one of dozens across the country endorsed by Amnesty International. For many participants, the sense of unity was as significant as the political message. Friends Noor Bibi, Kathleen Norton and Chels Hood Withey travelled from the Northern Rivers to take part, saying they felt compelled to keep pushing for government action. “After we marched with 300,000 people in Sydney across the Harbour Bridge calling for sanctions on Israel, we saw only aid being increased by the Albanese government,” Withey said. “We know that aid is not getting into Palestine. What we really want is our government to sanction Israel and protect the lives of innocent people.”
As the sun set over Brisbane, thousands of demonstrators dispersed from Musgrave Park, leaving behind the sound of drumming and chants that had echoed across the city for much of the afternoon. For organisers, the message to Canberra was clear: Australia’s pro-Palestine movement is growing in size and determination, and it will not be silenced by legal challenges, political disputes or attempts to downplay its strength.
“We are watching and we will not stop,” Naji declared, capturing both the urgency and persistence of a campaign that shows no signs of fading.
All media credit to PilotPete001, DovaFM Photojournalist.
Check out his YouTube channel, SEQ Emergency Turnouts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC--t8Iq4ZSi_7XXlxwJ1GeA