Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters march in CBD – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Thousands of people gathered at Sydney Town Hall on Saturday for a pro-Palestinian rally amid a heavy police presence.

More than 830 police were deployed across the city after NSW Premier Chris Minns pleaded for calm ahead of the rally, saying a repeat of antisemitic protests in front of the Opera House this week would be ruinous for Sydney and its multicultural, multi-faith community.

Speakers led the crowd in a series of chants including “Long Live the Intifada” and “Resistance is justified when Palestine is occupied”.

An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people attended the event, carrying Palestinian flags and placards with messages such as “Justice for Palestine”, “End the Gaza Blockade” and “It’s not war, it’s genocide” .

Demonstrators listened to speakers detail the destruction and loss of life in Gaza following the attack on Israel earlier this month by militant group Hamas.

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Speakers expressed strong condemnation of Israel, but warned the crowd not to burn flags, set off flares or cover their faces.

Amid chants of “Shame, Shame Albanese” and “Gaza, Gaza, don’t you cry”, demonstrators were also told that anti-Semitic and racist sentiments were not welcome at the rally.

Another speaker said: “As a Palestinian Australian from Gaza, seeing what’s happening to families back home, listening to my nieces and nephews over the phone…