• Tens of thousands march in Sydney for peace and aid to Gaza, despite heavy rain.
• The event, called the 'March for Humanity,' features symbolic gestures highlighting hunger.
• Julian Assange attends, as calls for recognition of Palestinian statehood increase.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators braved pouring rain on Sunday to march across Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge, demanding peace and urgent aid for the war-torn Gaza Strip. This event, dubbed the "March for Humanity," saw participants raising their voices against what they describe as a worsening humanitarian crisis, nearly two years into a conflict that Palestinian authorities claim has resulted in over 60,000 deaths in Gaza. Many attendees carried pots and pans as symbols of hunger, emphasizing the dire situation faced by civilians in the region, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Marchers included a diverse demographic, featuring individuals from the elderly to families with young children. Notable among them was WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. According to New South Wales police, up to 90,000 people attended, exceeding initial estimates, while the Palestine Action Group Sydney claimed that the number could have reached as high as 300,000. Organisers and participants chanted “We are all Palestinians” while waving flags, further enhancing the atmosphere of solidarity and urgency, as reported by Dawn and South China Morning Post.

The protest proceeded even after New South Wales police and the state premier sought to block it, citing potential safety hazards and disruptions to transport. However, the state’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of the march going ahead. The Acting Deputy Police Commissioner mentioned that over a thousand officers were on standby, with no injuries reported throughout the event, showcasing effective crowd management, according to Reuters.

This march occurs amidst growing international diplomatic pressure on Israel, with countries like France and Canada announcing intentions to recognize a Palestinian state unless humanitarian issues are addressed. The Australian Prime Minister voiced support for a two-state solution while condemning the denial of aid in Gaza. Many participants have echoed the sentiment, feeling compelled to act due to the humanitarian crisis, particularly highlighting the lack of medical care amid ongoing violence, as described by Dawn and Reuters.