A protest and vigil over the Middle East conflict will go ahead in Sydney’s CBD over the long weekend despite NSW Police fears for public safety.
NSW Police took demonstrators to the Supreme Court in a day of tense negotiations, which ended with an out-of-court compromise.
Demonstrators have abandoned their plans for an authorised protest organised for Monday on the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, with a vigil likely to be held instead.
READ MORE: Woman charged after Hezbollah flag waved at Sydney rally
It is expected some form of demonstration will still take place, whether it is approved or not.
9News has been told a standing vigil will be held in the location around Town Hall on Monday, rather than a march.
Organisers have also agreed to move Sunday’s protest and march at Town Hall to route in and around Hyde Park.
READ MORE: PM warns against pro-Palestine rallies on October 7
A slight modification made to the route will see protesters avoid the Great Synagogue along Park Street and instead turn along Pitt Street then Market Street.
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna claimed any rally would be “provocative” due to the proximity to the place of worship and the officer said he feared “a tinder box”.
Police estimated up to 15,000 people could turn out, whereas organisers expect closer to 5000 and are adamant Monday’s vigil will be peaceful.
Josh Lees from the Palestine Action Group said the court development “is a good moment for democratic rights, as well as the fight for Palestinian liberation and to stop the war in Lebanon”.
Earlier today, NSW Premier Chris Minns said the opposition to the plans “is not an attempt to silence protests in Sydney”.
“This is a genuine attempt to lower tensions in a very heated environment and ensure that we’ve got peace in Sydney,” Minns said.
Meanwhile, Victoria Police will deploy more officers to Melbourne on the weekend for planned pro-Palestinian rallies.
The main rally is planned for the State Library on Sunday, while a vigil and silent procession is expected to take place on Monday night.
READ MORE: Prime minister urges organisers to cancel Melbourne pro-Palestine rally
Police are not anticipating a repeat of the violence which occurred outside of the Land Forces Expo at Melbourne’s Convention Centre last month.
Victoria does not have a protest permit system and Premier Jacinta Allan has so far resisted calls to introduce a scheme.
Protests will not be opposed by authorities in Adelaide, where an event will be held on the steps of Parliament House.
SA Police said it was satisfied the event had ticked the legal boxes to go ahead.
There will be a heightened police presence at the Sunday and Monday demonstrations, with a stern warning against flying extremist flags.
During a year of weekly protests in the state since October 7 last year, police have had zero incidents.
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