Pro-Palestinian events in Sydney's CBD to go ahead after police withdraw NSW Supreme Court application

Every week since Hamas attacked Israel, igniting the past 12 months of war. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have marched through Sydney's CBD. “This will be week 52, so we're well-rehearsed." The waving of flags of the proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah at last week's protest. Following the killing of its leader Hassan Nasrallah prompted police to seek a court order prohibiting this week's assembly. But they withdrew their action late yesterday, after police and organisers agreed on a number of conditions. These include telling attendees not to bring flags with illegal symbols having one marshal per one hundred people and moving the protest from Town Hall to Hyde Park. The initial route went past the Great Synagogue, but will now avoid it. "The organisers reluctantly agreed to move the route." "Just to be clear the march route we proposed in court yesterday actually came from the NSW Police." But no deal was struck. for the assembly on Monday. "The vigil on Monday is a candlelight vigil." "It's hugely insensitive at best, to hold a planned vigil or rally on that day." "Think about whether your cause is being advanced or set back." The fact that Monday's vigil at Town Hall is not an authorised event doesn't make it illegal, in New South Wales, there is a lawful right to protest. But it does mean attendees won't be protected from arrest when it comes to offences such as blocking a road. "There'll be an overwhelming police response on both Sunday and Monday in particular." Activists have accused the government of heavy-handed policing and the premier of picking sides. "It's very clear that in the eyes of the Premier Jewish lives are more important than Arab lives." Police have authorised a pro-Palestinian protest on Monday in Lakemba, while Jewish commemorations are planned in the city's east. "Social cohesion is important and conflict overseas doesn't need to be played out on our streets." A call for calm, ahead of a day of strong emotions on both sides.