A pro-Palestine rally in Canberra's city centre turned confrontational on Sunday afternoon, resulting in a protester being hospitalised and police issuing multiple move-on directions. The incident, which organisers have blamed on a group of men allegedly wearing nationalist shirts, unfolded in Garema Place around 5pm.
Banner torn down sparking physical altercation
According to event organiser Diana Abdel-Rahman from the Canberra Palestine Action Group, the trouble began when a group of approximately six to seven men, who had been drinking at a nearby pub, began shouting at the demonstrators. Ms Abdel-Rahman claimed the situation escalated when one man from the group approached a large 20-metre banner bearing the message "Israel is still starving children to death".
The man allegedly pulled down the banner and stamped on it. A protester who was responsible for the banner attempted to intervene, leading to what Ms Abdel-Rahman described as a "whole kerfuffle". In the ensuing scuffle, an older male protester was knocked to the ground. He was subsequently treated in hospital and has since been released to recover at home.
Organisers raised safety concerns prior to rally
Ms Abdel-Rahman stated that she and other organisers had become apprehensive even before the rally commenced, after noticing individuals on scooters and a group of men gathering. She described the men as Caucasian in appearance and wearing T-shirts with "Australia first" slogans. Due to these safety concerns, the organisers made the decision to cancel the planned march, opting to hold speeches only.
Between 100 and 200 people attended the static protest, which featured speakers from the Palestinian and Jewish communities, as well as Greens MLA Andrew Braddock. Ms Abdel-Rahman emphasised that she had reiterated at the start of the event that any form of anti-Semitism would not be tolerated.
Police response and ongoing investigation
ACT Policing confirmed they were called to Garema Place on Sunday, January 11, following reports of an altercation between protesters and patrons of a licensed venue. Officers issued move-on directions to five individuals and one person was transported to hospital for treatment.
In a statement, police said enquiries into the circumstances of the alleged incident are ongoing. They have appealed for any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward and contact authorities.
The Canberra Palestine Action Group had deployed legal observers to monitor the situation as tensions rose. This rally was the group's first public demonstration in over a month, following a series of large monthly marches to Parliament House throughout 2025 that attracted thousands of participants.
