Pro-Palestine supporters ready to defy bridge march ban

Protesters and politicians pledge to defy any court order banning a pro-Palestine march from an Australian landmark, with a state MP labelling it "inevitable".

Aimed at shining a spotlight on starvation among the people of Gaza as a result of Israel's offensive in the enclave, the rally at the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday has been hyped by organisers as a "March for Humanity".

Similar demonstrations are planned in Melbourne and Adelaide, and an online petition to allow the Sydney march has attracted more than 15,000 signatures.

But NSW Police walked into the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon to request the rally be deemed unauthorised, allowing officers to arrest people for blocking road traffic.

A decision is expected later in the day.

Organisers Palestine Action Group Sydney vow to rally regardless of the judge's decision, with spokesman Josh Lees saying the groundswell of support was unstoppable.

"Whether or not Palestine Action Group has anything to do with it, there are going to be tens of thousands of people gathered, determined to march for humanity over our Sydney Harbour Bridge to stop a genocide," he said outside court.

Tens of thousands will gather regardless, Palestine Action Group Sydney spokesman Josh Lees says. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Five NSW Labor MPs are among a 15-strong group of politicians planning to join the march.

They have urged the government to facilitate a safe and orderly event on Sunday or "some other agreed date".

Outspoken upper house government MP Stephen Lawrence went a step further, predicting Premier Chris Minns' perceived interference in police negotiations with protesters would hamper the court's ability to thwart the bridge plans.

"The circumstances of this protest are not ideal, but the event is now absolutely inevitable, largely because of the way it has been mishandled," he said.

Mr Minns softened his largely anti-protest stance on Friday and said he hoped organisers would work with the police to find an alternative route.

"There are thousands of people that want to be part of the protest, it's not deniable, and many people have been struck by images that have come out of Gaza," he said.

The premier had earlier suggested the Harbour Bridge protest would bring "chaos" to Sydney.

Mr Lawrence and fellow MP Sarah Kaine said the premier's position ran counter to Labor Party values.

Lawyers for Human Rights argue that freedom of assembly is a fundamental human right in Australia. (Glenn Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

NSW has a permit system that allows protesters to block public roads and infrastructure, but a court can revoke those immunities if police challenge the permit.

Lawyers argue this runs contrary to Australia's civil rights obligations.

"As a party to the core United Nations human rights treaties, Australia has recognised that freedom of assembly is a fundamental human right and, in consequence, NSW must protect it," Australian Lawyers for Human Rights vice president Kerry Weste said.

Meanwhile, Victoria's new police commissioner Mike Bush has reiterated his state would not adopt a protest permit system.

That's despite police being unsuccessful in having organisers of a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday alter their route.

Protesters in Melbourne are proceeding with plans to march across King Street Bridge in the CBD. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

The Free Palestine Coalition Naarm says it will protest in solidarity with Sydney and march through the city to the King Street Bridge.

Victoria Police say the protest will cause significant disruption to the community and impact emergency services.

"While we always respect the right for people to protest peacefully, we are clear that this should be done without impacting the broader community," a police spokesperson said.

The number of Palestinians killed during the war in Gaza is now more than 60,000 according to local health authorities, while the United Nations says dozens of people have died in recent weeks due to starvation.

Israel's campaign began after Hamas, which Australia has designated as terror group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking some 250 hostage.