Pro-Palestine rally held on Nightcliff beachfront

A chant at a Darwin rally which accused an MP of “supporting war crimes” caught the politician’s attention.

Luke Gosling has slammed a Territorian activist group after “offensive comments” were aimed at the Solomon MP.

On Friday evening activist group Territorians for Palestine conducted a rally on the lawns of Nightcliff beachfront – the latest of several pro-Palestinians events organised by the group.

Around 150 people attended, with multiple speakers sharing their personal grief.

Greens party convener Jonathan Parry said news of a ceasefire “was welcomed” but “not enough”.

“(A ceasefire) is not enough – there is too much complacency disguised as impartiality, too much fear disguised as nuance.”

Mr Parry slammed Territorian leaders for their absence.

“If Luke Gosling is here, speak up,” he said.

“If Natasha Fyles is here, speak up – it’s your electorate”.

For Mililma May, 25, the event demonstrated Territorians were on “the right side of history”.

“(This event) is encouraging and speaks to the fact Territorians know when to stand on the right side of history,” she told NT News.

“And when you listen to people speaking from their heart, there’s no other way than to say ‘free Palestine’ and to (say) ‘stop the genocide’ and call for a ceasefire.”

“We can see the correlations between Palestine to Aboriginal Australia to native experiences around the world.

“This issue may dim from the media because the media may get sick of it, but that won’t stop the people from rising.”

The rally conducted a march along the beachfront.

Following the speeches, the group marched and chanted along the beachfront.

One chant which accused Luke Gosling of “supporting war crimes” caught the Solomon MP’s attention.

“I am aware of a small group of local activists making inflammatory and deeply offensive comments about me,” he told NT News.

“The fact is we are all distressed by the violence, but these tactics from a minority do not assist in our work towards peace.”

Mr Gosling had been accused by the group of failing to communicate with the community – an accusation he strongly denied.

“For many weeks I have met and spoken with distraught and concerned community members, including faith and community leaders, and have made sure their voices have been heard in Canberra,” he said.

“The Australian Government, of which I am part, has been working with countries that have influence in the region to help protect and support civilians, to help prevent the conflict from spreading and to reinforce the need for the just and enduring peace that all of us want.

“My office has and continues to respond to as many phone calls and emails as possible and I can assure the community that the work we do for our constituents doesn’t stop.”

Originally published as Pro-Palestine rally held on Nightcliff beachfront