Queensland Police take pro-Palestine protest organisers to court in bid to halt planned Story Bridge march

A legal challenge has been lodged by police to stop pro-Palestine demonstrators from marching across Brisbane’s Story Bridge this weekend. The group, Justice for Palestine (JFP) Magan-djin (Brisbane), has organised a planned march over the iconic River City landmark on Sunday – replicating huge demonstrations across Sydney and Melbourne earlier this month. But the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is now attempting to block the march, which is expected to draw thousands. “Under provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act, police will lodge documentation with Brisbane Magistrates Court for a decision to be made with respect to the Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly,” a QPS spokesperson said. “The QPS respects the right to peacefully assemble; however, this must be balanced with the need to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the broader community.” The hearing is set down for Thursday. Remah Naji, a spokesperson for the organisation, said march organisers have already briefed lawyers ahead of the looming legal fight. In a post on the JFP’s Facebook page, she said: “We’re very much willing to defend our fundamental right to peaceful assembly.” “If they want to go down this path, we’re ready,” she continued. Queensland Police said the bridge route itself is not designed for pedestrian gatherings, creating “significant safety risks for participants and the broader community”. They also listed footpath closures creating pedestrian movement risks along with “serious disruption” to traffic, emergency vehicle access, and local businesses as part of their chief concerns. “While the QPS has concerns if the march goes over the Story Bridge, the Service will always respect the decision of the courts,” their statement continued. “Brisbane police will have a strong presence on the day to ensure public safety, manage any traffic impacts and respond to any incidents as required.” The right to assemble peacefully is enshrined in Queensland legislation, subject to “necessary and reasonable” restrictions for protecting public safety, maintaining public order and the “protection of others’ rights and freedoms” – including their right to enjoy the natural environment or carry on their business. Assemblies can be refused or blocked outright if a magistrate issued an order. Speaking to the ABC, Ms Naji said the group would still march across the bridge on Sunday. “The onus is now on the police to take us to court if they want to stop us from exercising our fundamental right,” she told the outlet. The court move follows Palestine Action Group Sydney demonstration on the Harbour Bridge. Police made an application to the NSW Supreme Court to block the protesters being issued with a Form 1, which affords protesters protection from anti-assembly laws. Justice Belinda Rigg refused the Commissioner’s application. “The fact the proposed assembly is likely to cause significant inconvenience to residents … is far from determinative,” Justice Rigg said in her judgment. “If matters such as this were to be determinative, no assembly involving inconvenience to others would be permitted.” Historic scenes emerged on the Harbour Bridge afterwards as close to 90,000 demonstrators marched back and forth, according to police estimates. Palestine Action Group Sydney said as many as 300,000 attended.