Several hundred people turned up to Martin Place, Gadigal Land, yesterday for a pro-Palestinian rally and to demand that charges be dropped against the 23 protesters who were arrested at Port Botany last week. The protesters were arrested under the draconian anti-protest laws which have been condemned by civil liberties and human rights groups across NSW. The laws were passed in the last term of government by both the state Coalition and Labor parties, and have been retained by the incoming Labor government.
As the rally was underway, news broke that the ceasefire in Palestine had been broken, and that Israel had recommenced the bombing of Gaza.
Speakers included MCs Jana Fayyad and Matt, Greens NSW state MP Jenny Leong, Angus McFarland from the Australian Services Union, Amad Abadia from the Palestine Justice Movement Sydney, Maritime Union of Australia rep Natalie Wasely, and the National Tertiary Education Union representative, Sophie Cotton. Acknowledgement of Country was performed by Wadi Wadi man and trade unionist, Matt Jeffery.
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