Pro-Palestinian protestors have gathered in their thousands in Sydney to mourn the loss of family and friends in Gaza. Organisers were under pressure to keep people calm after ugly scenes earlier in the week flared tensions with the Jewish community.
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00:00 "Free, free Palestine!"
00:06 A world away from Gaza, Sydney's Palestinian community is in mourning.
00:11 "I'm crying for the babies, for the babies who are killed."
00:16 "I'm bringing my children and I'm teaching them the history of Palestine."
00:20 Under the watchful eyes of a thousand police, six thousand people gathered for quiet prayers.
00:26 "And I'm a fan of Rasulullah."
00:32 And loud protests.
00:33 "What monstrosity is Israel perpetuating against innocent civilians?"
00:43 Earlier this week, anti-Semitic chants marred a pro-Palestinian rally at the Opera House.
00:48 Premier Chris Mims vowed to ban further protests.
00:52 "The protest organisers have already proven that they're not peaceful."
00:55 But police allowed today's gathering to go ahead, swarming CBD streets in preparation
01:01 for unrest.
01:02 "Disgracefully, the New South Wales police and the New South Wales government have made
01:08 shameful attempts to silence us."
01:11 "We live in Australia and we've got a right to demonstrate peacefully and unfortunately
01:17 the politicians and Chris Mims have tried to employ scare tactics."
01:22 Organisers promised attendees would be well behaved.
01:26 Police say there were no arrests.
01:28 "It was largely peaceful, yes."
01:30 Today's protesters were adamant.
01:33 They mourn with Jewish people too.
01:35 "Our movement is absolutely against anti-Semitism."
01:38 "Nobody ever supports any killing of children and we just want it all to end."
01:44 "Police have been watching the behaviour of protesters closely, warning that any signs
01:49 of violence or anti-Semitism could mean that an application to march through the streets
01:55 next weekend is rejected."
01:56 "We will look at each application and consider it on its merits in the circumstances."
02:03 Regardless of whether this group is granted a protest permit, they say they'll keep fighting
02:09 for the cause.
02:10 [BLANK_AUDIO]