Coffs Coast represented at Harbour Bridge march

COFFS Coast locals were among the more than 100,000 people who braved the weather to march across Sydney Harbour Bridge last Sunday, 3 August, to protest against the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The march, along with a rally of more than 25,000 people in Melbourne, was the culmination of protests around the country since the start of the Hamas-Israel conflict on 7 October 2023.

Brian Mahoney, who has taken part in local protests, travelled from Coffs Harbour to join the crowd in Sydney.

“I was motivated to attend to make a contribution to stop the genocide, mass starvation and the ethnic cleansing of the people of Gaza, who have suffered extremely for the one year and eight months of this dreadful war,” he said.

“Distressing pictures of children and babies suffering horrendous injuries and death… influenced me to want to demonstrate.

“I was hoping to send a strong message to politicians to take more action in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

“I enjoyed the march, despite the rain and wind at times, because I felt I was contributing to the cause.

“The size of the crowd was awesome, and [it was] uplifting to know so many people felt strongly.

“I would say to people that think it won’t make a difference is that strength is in the numbers and politicians are sensitive to numbers and will listen to the many rather than the few.

“I didn’t feel like I was just one more, but part of a crowd of concerned people with heart.”

Ann Leonard was another from the Coffs Coast who marched.

She said there was a diverse mix of families, youth and older generations… of every ethnicity, creed and colour.

“There was no luck in the fact this was a well behaved crowd.

“Congratulations to all concerned, including those marching, the organisers and the police.”

By Andrew VIVIAN