Legal threats to block bridges seems to be a bad tactic for Australian ruling class politicians trying to contain the growing Palestine solidarity movement. Following NSW Labor’s failure to wreck the 300,000 person Harbour Bridge mobilisation on August 3, the Queensland LNP equally failed to defeat a Brisbane action on August 24, which was described by long-term activists as the largest in 20 years.

Having filled Queen’s Gardens, 50,000 Brisbane protesters – who were blocked from crossing the Story Bridge – marched in force across the city’s Victoria Bridge demanding sanctions on Israel.

Amal Nassar from the Palestine Action Group (PAG) reported to the 100,000 person Sydney crowd that 40 cities and towns around Australia were involved in the nationwide protest calling for crippling sanctions and an end to the two-way arms trade. Nassar said:

“recognising the Palestinian state has never been a demand of our movement; we call for crippling economic sanctions. What is the [use] of recognising a state while we arm those committing genocide against them?”

Josh Lees, also representing PAG, pointed out to the Sydney crowd that, “there is overwhelming public support, yet the undemocratic establishment serves those with money and power, who want to spend their money on weapons instead of housing for Australians.”

Henry Rajendra, President of the New South Wales Teachers Federation reported that the state executive of that union had passed a unanimous decision that “NSWTF stands resolute in its support of Palestinian people under occupation. The federation calls for immediate sanctions on Israel.”

In Perth, a crowd of 25,000 people braved heavy showers to gather in Forrest Place in the centre of Perth CBD before a march to Hyde Park. There were many trade union flags in the crowd from the Electrical Trades Union, the National Tertiary Education Union, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union.

Retired MUA and CFMEU leader, Chris Cain roused the crowd with a demand for a day of trade union action in support of Palestine. He powerfully called for nation-wide strike action to force the federal government to stop arming Israel, to sanction Israel and to expel the Israeli ambassador.

The march procession was so long that before the tail had reached Hyde Park people were already streaming back along the footpaths, so the whole of North Perth became a sea of protest. There was also a significant number of rallies in regional WA towns.

In Melbourne 100,000 people snaked around the CBD for the 97th consecutive week of action against Israel’s genocide in Palestine. The protest had three core demands for the Australian state: immediate sanctions on Israel; impose a total embargo on trade with Israel; expel the Israeli ambassador and end diplomatic ties with Israel.

Speeches condemned the material support and political cover the ALP continues to provide to Israel, arguing that the feeble, conditioned recognition of statehood the Albanese government proposes is not a recognition of historic Palestine, nor sufficient action against Israel. One chant was: ‘Recognition is a lie, Sanction Israel – break all ties’.

Senator for NSW, Mehreen Faruqi, told the Melbourne crowd that her party, the Greens “want sanctions”. Secretary of Victorian Trades Hall Luke Hilakari called for “disruptive” action, through did not announce any plans by Trades Hall for co-ordinated industrial action or other specific initiatives. He received something of dressing down by Free Palestine Melbourne MC Mai Saif, who is herself an active unionist. Immediately following Hilakari’s speak Saif argued “the time to strike is now!”.

Wednesday, September 10 was emphasised by Saif and many others as an immediate focus for action by trade unionists and supporters. Plans are already underway for a rank a file mobilisation among the Australian Services Union in Victoria at least. The days leading up to September 10 may be a window for other rank and file groups and unionists to mobilise for the day. The other Melbourne rally MC, Omar Hassan, emphasised Student General meetings planned for every university in Melbourne. A coming “student referendum” was also announced in NSW for University of Sydney.

These coming union and student actions over the next two weeks will be crucial in escalating the pressure on the ALP federal government to take concrete action to end Australian material support for the genocide. If student and worker action can be combined in a mass stoppage or action occurring on September 10 – a working day – that will be a significant step forward for this growing mass movement.

Reportage from Red Spark Members Patrick Newbold (Sydney), Ana Cavalcante (Brisbane), Barry Healy (Perth) and Ria Evelyn (Melbourne).