'From Gadigal to Gaza' protest highlights global solidarity

June 7, 2021
Issue 
A performance to 'Stand Up' was a powerful part of the rally. Photo: Isaac Nellist

Hundreds of people gathered at Town Hall on June 6 to call for an end to oppression and colonialism in Palestine and in Australia.

The rally called for solidarity between the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation and First Nation's struggle against colonialism in Australia. 

The rally was the fourth Palestine solidarity rally in four weeks, after Israel expelled Sheik Jarrah residents from East Jerusalem and started its latest bombing of Gaza.

The rally also marked one year since more than 40,000 people took to the streets for a Black Lives Matter protest after the murder of George Floyd by a United States police officer reignited the campaign to end deaths in custody. 

Muruwari and Budjiti man Bruce Shillingsworth welcomed the rally to Gadigal country and expressed his solidarity with the Palestinians.

Palestinian activists and a rapper poet were powerful highlights, as was a performance coordinated to Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell's Stand Up which showed First Nations and Palestinian people standing in solidarity as flares were lit.

After the performance, the crowd marched to Belmore Park, chanting "Free Palestine", "Always was, always will be Aboriginal land" and "Always was, always will be Palestinian land" also proved popular.

Rally organisers called for people to continue the fight against colonialism and apartheid in Australia and Palestine. 

A vigil for Palestine will be held at Pitt Street Mall on June 10 and another rally is planned for June 20. 

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The crowd march to Belmore Park. Photo: Isaac Nellist

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