Palestine protests in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane strong 10 weeks on

For the tenth week in a row, pro-Palestinian protesters have rallied across the country, this time targeting a Starbucks cafe.

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen at the protest for Gaza in Hyde Park, Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Pro-Palestinian protests have rallied across the country for 10 consecutive weeks since the start of the war in Gaza, with large demonstrations taking place in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The rallies have attracted tens of thousands of people each week as they call for a permanent ceasefire and in some cities, turnouts were larger than previous weeks.

Thousands of people staged a protest outside a Starbucks cafe in Sydney’s CBD in an attempt to boycott the multinational.

Protestors staged a sit-down outside Starbucks, calling for a #boycott at Sydney’s protest today #Palestine#Gaza#Gaza_Geniocidepic.twitter.com/hljLDYbDWm

— Boushra Elkheir (@boushraelkheir) December 17, 2023

The Facebook group, Palestine Action Group, posted that they plan to keep holding mass weekly protests throughout the Christmas and New Year period, however they will be held on Saturdays rather than Sundays.

The group has once again called for an end to the conflict and for a lasting ceasefire, this time outside the Starbucks cafe in Hyde Park where a call to boycott the business was made.

“Shame, shame Starbucks, you’re supporting genocide,” chants could be heard.

Speakers at Sydney’s rally said the public outcry against the war has pushed the Albanese government to shift its position and back calls for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Starbucks on Swanston St remains closed after being targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Picture: Suzan Delibasic

Just this week, Australia joined 152 other nations in the UN general assembly to vote in favour of a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and for an unconditional release of all remaining hostages.

“Although it is too little too late, what this shift in the government’s public position shows us is that our collective action is working,” Ethan Lyons told the crowd in Sydney.

The Greens’ justice spokesperson, Mehreen Faruqi, who spoke at the Sydney rally, said protesters were the force behind the change in Labor’s stance.

“It is because of the people power you have shown over the past 10 weeks that the Labor government has been forced, had been literally dragged kicking and screaming to show a slither of humanity when they joined the chorus of nations to sign up for the UN general assembly resolution for an immediate ceasefire,” Senator Faruqi said.

Meanwhile in Melbourne, thousands marched from the State Library to the Department of Education building, where teachers and school staff were invited to “speak out” as an open letter to the State’s Minister of Education Ben Carroll, was delivered.

“Dear Ben Carroll, Jason Clare and Lizzie Blandthorn, we write as teachers, school staff, and education affiliates to express our sincere and serious concern over the wellbeing of children and young people locally and internationally, and the safety of all Palestinian kids in Gaza,” the letter read.

“Our own students are also witnessing the catastrophic devastation unfold, which will have short and long term effects on their social, emotional and cultural wellbeing.

“We call on Ben Carroll, Jason Clare and Lizzie Blandthorn to release a statement condemning the human rights abuses being carried out by Israel on Palestinian people in accordance with Australia’s ethical obligation to international law and endorse the state and Australian governments to sever military and diplomatic ties with Israel.”

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen at the protest for Gaza in Hyde Park, in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

In Brisbane, an estimated 4000 people gathered at Queens Gardens and marched through Adelaide Street.

This follows a snap protest that shut down a busy West End intersection on Wednesday night as Brisbane Council announced their plans to remove a Palestinian flag painted on the road.

Justice for Palestine Meanjin organised the protest and thwarted the council’s plans to remove the painted flag.