Nationwide March for Palestine set to mobilise largest numbers in Australia’s history

Media Release

August 24

21 Cities and towns across Australia

(Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Canberra, Newcastle, Central Coast, Katoomba, Port Macquarie, Tathra, Bathurst, Pine Gap, Geraldton, Townsville, Cairns, Warrnambool, Canberra, Coff’s Harbour)

Slogans:

• Recognition is a distraction: Sanction Israel Now
• End the two way arms trade with Israel

Key Information:

• The largest pro-Palestine demonstrations in Australia’s history are planned for this Sunday, as a broad national coalition combining every major Palestine organising group nationally unites for a country-wide day of action.
• The march is 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 scale of participation, with demonstrations currently planned for 21 locations across the country, suggests widespread support for the Palestinian people among the Australian public. As a result, Sunday will see protests in every capital city, as well as places as diverse as Geraldton, Coffs Harbour, and Pine Gap. Some will be hosting their first ever protests for Palestine. Full list of marches below.

The Albanese government has sought to respond to this growing public pressure to stop Israel’s siege and assault on Gaza by raising the question of symbolic recognition. Yet spokespeople for the pro-Palestine movement, which is 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 meaningless words.

Quotes:

Palestinian organiser Mai Saif explained the intention of the march:

“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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