Melbourne community cautioned about “Nakba Day” March
Free Palestine Melbourne has encouraged participants to "Bring your Pots and Pans".
Melbourne’s Jewish community has been urged to exercise caution as a pro-Palestinian “Nakba Day” march plans to conclude at St Kilda Beach this Sunday.
The demonstration, organised by Free Palestine Melbourne, will cover a 6km route starting at the State Library at midday before proceeding to St Kilda Beach via Princes Bridge and the US Consulate.
Community Security Group (CSG) has noted “there is a possibility that rally participants may splinter off into surrounding areas throughout the event and community may witness individuals dressed in keffiyehs and carrying Palestinian flags in and around St Kilda and neighbouring suburbs.”
CSG advised community members to avoid engaging with potentially aggressive individuals and to remove themselves from dangerous situations.
In case of escalation, they recommend calling Triple Zero and then contacting CSG via JEAP or their 24/7 Emergency Hotline.
Victoria Police will have a presence at the march.
A Police spokesperson told the AJN, “The community can expect to see a visible police presence around the CBD and St Kilda area for the duration of the rally. Our priority will be keeping the peace and ensuring the safety of the community”.
Victoria Police say they respect the right of individuals to protest however they ask they do so peacefully without impacting the broader community.
The organisers have promoted the march with controversial messaging, stating “From the River to the Sea We will march together” and claiming “The Nakba is Ongoing, It never stopped, The Genocide is on full display.”
There may be Jewish counter-protesters at the event.
Yaakov Travitz, spokesman for the Lions of Zion group which has staged counter protests at previous pro-Palestinian rallies, stated they will be “meeting this threat head on,” though he wouldn’t give any details about how or where they intend to do that.
The march coincides with “Nakba Day,” which Palestinians observe to commemorate displacement during Israel’s founding.
Free Palestine Melbourne has encouraged participants to “Bring your Pots and Pans”.
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