Police Launch Bid To Block Planned Harbour Bridge March With Links To Anti-Vaxxers

NSW Police have launched a court bid to push back against the organisers of a planned protest marching across the Harbour Bridge later this month. 

The event has been put together by an umbrella group known as Australia Unites Against Government Corruption, which the ABC reports has known links to anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and sovereign citizens. 

Organisers told the ABC they intend to walk from Bradfield Park at Milsons Point to Hyde Park in the CBD next Saturday, September 13, saying they also have plans for speakers to address those participating in the march. 

The planned march would follow a series of anti-immigration rallies that took place last week. (Images: X)

In anticipation of the event, NSW Police initiated a case in the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking an order to prohibit a public assembly over the Harbour Bridge. 

In pursuing the matter, the court issued an urgent hearing slated for Monday, giving both parties the weekend to gather relevant materials to present their case. 

Organisers reportedly lodged their notification to authorities of a planned public assembly, known as a Form 1, with NSW Police late last month, before inviting them to confer on the protest plans on Friday. 

Judge Peter Garling said the “urgent hearing” on Monday will be necessary for authorities to have “the maximum time possible” to prepare if the event is to go ahead as planned. 

If granted, the prohibition order would not ban protestors from participating, but would limit their protections against certain charges, including blocking roads.

In a statement provided to PEDESTRIAN.TV, NSW Police stressed “the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly” but said the “first priority … is always the safety of the wider community”. 

Police also sought to block last month’s pro-Palestine march over the bridge. (Images: X)

“As the matter will be before the court, the NSW Police Force won’t be making further comment at this stage,” the statement added.

One group under the Australia Unites Against Government Corruption umbrella is My Place Australia, which according to its website, campaigned against vaccine mandates and so-called “radical gender theory” in schools.

Bob Katter seemingly voiced his support for the event on Thursday, when his social media account re-shared a post that mentioned “reclaim[ing] our bridge”.

Last month, hundreds of thousands turned out for a pro-Palestine march over the Harbour Bridge. Last week, anti-immigration protests took place across the country’s capital cities.  

Lead images: Getty Images

The post Police Launch Bid To Block Planned Harbour Bridge March With Links To Anti-Vaxxers appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .