Pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne’s CBD: Thousands march, flare lit

Protesters chanted “free Palestine” while waving flags and holding signs that read “boycott apartheid Israel” and “stop the Palestinian genocide”.

Thousands have attended the rally on Sunday. Picture: David Crosling

Police estimate about 10,000 people attended a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne’s CBD on Sunday where crowds chanted “shame” and “stop the killing, stop the crime”.

No arrests were made but a flare was lit up by a member of the crowd.

It did not cause any injuries.

Protesters began lighting flares as they turned onto Collins St @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/szerhqHlHR

— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) October 15, 2023

A girl who appeared to be as young as 10 could be heard leading chants saying: “out, Israel out”.

The crowd also chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” before the rally ended about 2.30pm.

Speaking earlier at the protest, which began at the State Library about midday, Indigenous activist Oscar Martin slammed the federal government’s support of Israel.

One flare was set off during the march. Picture: David Crosling

“What has been happening it is truly disgusting,” Mr Martin said to the crowd.

He then drew parallels between the invasion of Israel and the history of Australia’s Aboriginal community.

“The Australian ruling class continues to lock us up, deny the basic necessities, good housing and social services. They deny us basic land rights,” he said, a day after the nation voted down the Voice to Parliament referendum.

“They (the government) are also complicit in the oppression and genocide of Palestinians.

“We are in solidarity against our oppressors.

“The solidarity between oppressed people is crucial in fighting back against intense racism and treatment we deal with in our respective countries.

“We have just seen the Israeli state wanting to move more than one million Gazans south to the Gaza Strip.

People at the rally against the occupation of Palestine. Picture: David Crosling

“It was an act of mass displacement in the destruction of Palestinian life. As an Aboriginal man, I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Indigenous rights activist Gary Foley said he was “appalled” by Israel’s intensified action against Palestinian people.

Mr Foley also said Aboriginal people were “essentially in the same situation” as Palestinians.

“It merely shows that Australian society has a long way to go before they understand before they understand and the Israelis have a long way to go to realised the injustices of what they have been doing for a very long time,” he said.

Janet Rice, a Greens MP who has long supported the Palestinian cause, fronted the crowd to call for an end to the horrors unfolding in the Middle East.

“ … In Palestinian community and in Jewish communities, human tragedies are here before us, laid up before us, touching us all,” she said.

The rally outside the State Library. Picture: David Crosling

“The Greens condemn all horrific attacks on civilians.

“There must be an end to the violence, the escalating violence, an end to the war crimes, an end to the occupation.

“An end to the occupation,” Ms Rice chanted passionately as attendees cheered in response.

“The community will see a highly visible police presence throughout the entire CBD to ensure everyone is safe,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said ahead of the rally.

Police are out in force across Melbourne’s CBD ahead of a pro-Palestine rally at the State Library @theheraldsunpic.twitter.com/2GIWyHPasR

— Olivia Jenkins (@byoliviajenkins) October 15, 2023

“Our top priority is community safety and keeping the peace.

“While individuals have the right to protest lawfully, we strongly encourage those attending to protest peacefully and without impacting the broader community.

“We continue to retain close communications with all communities which have a strong interest in events unfolding in the Middle East.”

Protest organisers slammed displays of anti-Semitism, saying the campaign condemned the killing of Jewish people and Palestinians.

“Israel is now blocking all food, water, electricity, fuel and medical supplies. This is a war crime by any definition,” it said on Facebook.

“The struggle for a free Palestine is an anti-racist struggle.

“We condemn and oppose all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

“Ours is a struggle against the state of Israel, not against Jewish people, many of whom oppose Zionism, and who have a long history of being part of our movement for a free Palestine.

“Anyone wishing to express anti-Semitic views is not welcome at our protests.”

The crowd held up signs. Picture: David Crosling

Sunday’s protest follows an impromptu rally on Tuesday last week during which about 1500 people gathered at the State Library to support Palestinian civilians.

The Israel-Gaza conflict has seen tensions rise in Melbourne, with Jewish schools sourcing additional security guards as police investigate reports of anti-Semitic threats against members of the Jewish community.

Just hours after a vigil held for the Jewish community on Friday night, a group of neo-Nazis gathered on the steps of Flinders St Station where they performed Hitler salutes and sang songs about “White Australia”.

Spokesperson for the Australian Jewish Democratic Society, Harold Zwier, said the Australian Jewish Democratic Society unreservedly condemned Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israel.

“At the rally today, and at other rallies held previously by Palestinian supporters there has been no mention of the barbarism of the Hamas attack. Recognising and calling out grievous human rights abuse is the mark of genuine human rights advocates, whether supporters of Palestine, Israel or both. Hamas does the Palestinian cause no favours,” he said.

“Aside from the 1300 Israeli civilians killed, the war started by Hamas has also resulted in over 1000 civilian deaths in Gaza through Israeli Air Force bombings. A likely ground offensive by Israel will lead to many more civilians killed. We decry this war and its deadly consequences.

“It is a time of grief and a time of grieving, a time to cry bitterly and a time of mourning, a time of hate and a time of resolve. It is a bleak time for all sides of this conflict.

“And at the end of fighting, the need to find a path to Palestinian self-determination will be more urgent than ever.”