About 300 people rallied in King George Square on November 5 to support the worldwide Occupy movement, and assert the right of Occupy Brisbane to keep its encampment in public space.
Following the rally, demonstrators marched to Post Office Square, Queens Park, and then across the Brisbane River to Musgrave Park in West End.
Publicity for the rally said: "We are part of a movement that aims to connect the important struggles now happening both here in Australia, around the world and is creating a new path towards a society based on the needs and the democratic participation of all. We extend our hand, we invite you to join us because we all are the 99%! We are Occupy Brisbane!"
Speakers at the rally included Peter Paulos from the Transport Workers Union, who addressed the key issue of the current struggle of the Qantas workers; Gary MacLennan, long-time socialist activist and educationist; and Kathy Newnam, representing Occupy Brisbane.
Other activists involved in Occupy Brisbane spoke to the demonstrators at Post Office Square and Queens Park, sites of the camp and scenes of harsh eviction by police and council officers in the previous few days.
Extensive general assemblies of all participants were held at Musgrave Park under close scrutiny from the authorities. A significant number of protesters decided to camp overnight at the park, after being welcomed by elders of the Murri community there but in the face of warnings by council staff of possible heavy fines for "illegal" camping in a public park.
Video: Rally demands right to Occupy Brisbane’s public spaces - YouTube.