Wild scenes as Harbour Bridge shut down

Protesters have started to gather for an enormous rally across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as police shut down the city with the landmark bridge closed in both directions.

Police have warned they will crack down on unlawful and anti-social behaviour ahead of the planned march.

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to stream across after the Supreme Court rejected a bid to block the anti-war protest.

Speakers at the protest include politicians, activists and a former Socceroo.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi will speak at the rally.

Ex-Socceroos captain Craig Foster will also speak, as will journalist Antony Loewenstein, actor Meyne Wyatt, writer Randa Abdel-Fattah, the Maritime Union’s Paul Keating, activist Tania Safi and Amnesty International’s Mohammed Duar.

Rain was bucketing down, but organisers plan to push through with the march.

“We’re gathering in Lang Park now to march across the Harbour Bridge, already there are hundreds of people and we’re expecting thousands more,” one of the organisers said in a video on social media.

“Don’t let the rain put you off, come along, we’re going to start the rally at 1pm and then march across the bridge in our thousands. Be here.”

Advice from Sydney’s Transport Management Centre said the bridge was now closed in both directions, with travellers advised to avoid the CBD.

“Those who must travel should allow plenty of extra travel time and consider alternative routes such as the Gladesville Bridge and Victoria Road,” the advice read.

“Traffic will be very heavy on the surrounding road network throughout the day, with extensive queuing expected in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Western Distributor, Anzac Bridge and Rozelle Interchange.”

Hundreds of officers will be deployed to the demonstration, with NSW Police warning that “unlawful behaviour” will not be tolerated.

Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson said the deployment was for the safety of the community.

“The first and upmost priority for NSW Police is always the safety of those protesting, other members of the public who may be impacted by the protest, and the officers involved in the operation,” Mr Johnson said.

“Police will have a high-visibility presence at the operation today and will work with participants to ensure there are no breaches of the peace.

Conditions are expected to be wet for the rally, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting 10 to 35mm of rain on Sunday, but organisers claim as many as 50,000 people could take part.

Protesters will gather at Lang Park in the Sydney CBD at 1pm before marching across the bridge.

Beginning at York and Grosvenor streets at 1.30pm, protesters will then file onto the bridge before finishing on the northern side of the bridge at Bradfield Park, according to rally organisers the Palestine Action Group.

The march is expected to last three hours.

Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on the ABC that the protest “doesn’t sound peaceful” and questioned why a major route was being shut down.

“I respect the right of free speech and protest, but this is taking it to another level,” Ms Ley said.

“We don’t need to shut down something as important as the Harbour Bridge and there is work being done on the Metro as well, so this is going to be incredibly chaotic for Sydneysiders today.

Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy urged attendees to “protest peacefully” and to look out for others.

“It is going to be a significant day down in Sydney today and with the court decision that came through yesterday, I believe, but I would just encourage people to protest peacefully,” she said.

Traffic on the bridge will be closed from 11.30am and is expected to be reopened by 4pm.

Residents and motorists are being urged to avoid the area having been warned of significant disruptions.

Bus services will terminate in the CBD on the south side of the bridge and at North Sydney and St Leonards on the northern side.

Transport for NSW Executive Director Operations Management Craig Moran asked drivers and commuters to avoid the CBD during the protest.

“The closure will not only impact the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but will have a flow on effect throughout the public transport and road network,” Mr Moran said.

“There will be significant delays and disruption so if you must travel, allow plenty of additional journey time, particularly for any critical travel, such as going to the Airport.

Trains will be running across the Harbour Bridge during the march, but delays are expected given the number of people predicted to be streaming into the city.

Transport for NSW says that “extensive” queues are expected at the entrance to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, with a flow-on effect expected for the rest of the traffic network.

Motorists are being urged to consider alternative routes and allow plenty of extra time, including going from the northern beaches and north shore to the airport.

The Metro service will not in operation between Tallawong and Sydenham on Sunday due to trackwork.

Buses will replace Metro services between Tallawong and Chatswood.

Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees, who has been the public face of the group’s push to hold the historic march across the bridge, hailed a NSW Supreme Court decision on Saturday as a “huge victory for the Palestine movement in this country”

Premier Chris Minns had publicly expressed his opposition to the march.

And the NSW Police made an application to the NSW Supreme Court to block the protesters being issued with a Form 1, which affords protesters protection from anti-assembly laws

However Justice Belinda Rigg refused the Commissioner’s application.

“The fact the proposed assembly is likely to cause significant inconvenience to residents … is far from determinative,” Justice Rigg said in her judgment.

“If matters such as this were to be determinative, no assembly involving inconvenience to others would be permitted.”

The Palestinian Action Group said in a social media post: “Tomorrow we are going to make history!

“We will hold a massive march over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, dedicated to using our people power to stop the genocide in Gaza.

“We are working with police and NSW transport to ensure a safe, family-friendly event for everyone.”