Sydney Harbour Bridge Becomes Site of Gaza Humanitarian Protest

On August 3, 2025, over 100,000 people braved wind and rain to participate in the “March for Humanity” across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, showing solidarity with Gaza and calling for an end to the humanitarian crisis. Despite opposition from New South Wales Police and Premier Chris Minns, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled the protest lawful. The demonstration proceeded peacefully without major conflict.

This became one of the largest pro-Palestinian protests in Australian history. Several Labor Party MPs, including former minister Ed Husic, defied internal party pressure to attend. Protesters banged pots and pans to symbolize Gaza’s hunger crisis and strongly condemned the Australian government’s perceived bias toward Israel.

Premier Minns later reaffirmed support for the public’s right to peaceful expression but warned that the Harbour Bridge should not become a free-for-all protest site, emphasizing the need for better planning and coordination. In response to public sentiment, the federal government announced an additional $20 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza, bringing Australia’s total contribution to $130 million.