The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) strongly condemns the New South Wales Police’s attempts to prohibit Sydney Palestine solidarity rallies scheduled for October 6 and 7.
This move represents a serious affront to the community’s democratic right to stage peaceful protests and is yet another example of systemic anti-Palestinian racism on this continent.
As global outrage mounts over Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, its illegal occupation and apartheid in the West Bank, its invasion of Lebanon, and its attacks on Syria, the voices of those advocating for justice and human rights are more critical than ever.
Prohibiting these peaceful rallies would not only silence legitimate expressions of solidarity but also further demonise and marginalise individuals and groups standing up against Israel’s ongoing international law violations across the Arab world, and the Australian Government’s unwillingness to meet its legal obligations to act to hold Israel accountable.
It sends a troubling message that standing up for human rights, justice, and equality can be met with government repression.
The NSW Police and government must uphold democracy and work with the organisers of the weekend’s rallies to ensure the actions proceed as planned.
Comments attributed to APAN President Nasser Mashni:
“The planned rallies are crucial for highlighting Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, its illegal occupation and apartheid in the West Bank, its invasion of Lebanon, and its attacks on Syria.
“These peaceful rallies are an essential expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine, Lebanon and others across the Arab world who are being brutally attacked and slaughtered by Israel, and a demand for action and accountability from the international community, including the Australian Government.
“Banning these peaceful demonstrations is a blatant attempt to stifle dissent and undermine our fundamental right to free expression and only perpetuates the cycle of violence and oppression faced by Palestinians and those struggling for justice.
“We demand that the NSW Police and government uphold democracy by allowing the Sydney Palestine solidarity rallies to proceed as planned.
“The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democratic society; any attempt to curtail it is a grave injustice.”