Massive Pro-Palestine Demonstrations in Australia Draw 290,000 People

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators participated in rallies across various Australian cities on Sunday, August 24, 2025, marking one of the largest days of action in the country's history.

According to the Palestine Action Group, the event's organizer, a total of 290,000 people gathered nationwide. This included 100,000 people in both Sydney and Melbourne, while another 50,000 people rallied in Brisbane despite a last-minute route change.

"The demonstrations should pressure the Australian government to sanction Israel and place an arms embargo on the state," the organizer said as quoted by SBS.

Brisbane Route Change

Organizers had initially estimated 7,000 people would attend the Brisbane protest, which was planned to begin at Queens Park, cross the Victoria Bridge, and end at Musgrave Park. Protesters had sought to close the Story Bridge for the demonstration, but a Queensland court ruled that the action posed a significant public safety risk.

The organizers thus took a different route. Police had cited concerns about a lack of staff to monitor the route on short notice, potential disruption to emergency services and hospital access, and increased traffic due to a Brisbane Lions AFL match.

The protest was largely peaceful, with no major incidents reported, though one person was arrested after a man carrying an Australian flag reportedly hurled insults at demonstrators.

Queensland Senator and Greens leader Larissa Waters joined the march and spoke to participants.

"There are so many people here calling for peace, calling for sanctions on Israel just like we have on Russia and calling for an end to the two way arms trade," she said. "Australians are horrified that we are selling weapons components to the Israeli government. It's got to stop."

"I think after the Sydney march, just a couple of weeks ago, which saw the government change position, I'm really hopeful that with the amazing turnout today across the country, the government will feel the pressure," she went on.

Melbourne and Sydney Rallies

In Melbourne, organizers claimed up to 100,000 people participated in a march that began outside the State Library. This marked the 97th consecutive pro-Palestine demonstration in the city. A small police presence was stationed to manage the march, and no major incidents were reported.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe drew a parallel between the struggles of Palestinians and Native Americans, also referencing the supply of F35 fighter jet parts to Israel. "The only way we're going to get traction here is to boycott Israel in all its forms," she stated.

"We have to boycott anything that Israel touches, that Israel is about."

In Sydney, residents gathered at the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park. Prominent participants included journalist Antoinette Lattouf, who was fired from ABC Australia for her support of Gaza.

The Sydney demonstration follows a major protest on August 3 where approximately 100,000 people shut down the famous Harbour Bridge, marking the first time protesters were able to walk across it.

Protests Across the Country

Other major Australian cities also saw significant turnout. In Perth, an estimated 20,000 people gathered at Forrest Place for a march organized by the Friends of Palestine Australia West.

In the national capital, Canberra, around 2,000 demonstrators gathered, including Independent Senator David Pocock. "Do more as a middle power, put sanctions on [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and the Israeli government," he urged.

About 15,000 people marched in Adelaide, while in Hobart, Tasmania, a crowd of 5,000 people stretched several blocks through the downtown area.

Independent Senator Fatima Payman, who left the Labor Party over her stance on the Gaza conflict, also spoke to protesters in Adelaide.

The Australian demonstrations followed protests in Israel the previous night, where about 500,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv to call for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages.

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