Pro-Palestine protest LIVE updates: Bombshell decision that means Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed LONGER – as Julian Assange makes rare appearance at huge pro-Gaza rally and police make dramatic arrest in Melbourne

Images have surfaced of a man being arrested during the march in Melbourne.

Daily Mail has contacted Victoria Police for further information.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has made a rare public appearance at the pro-Palestine march.

He was spotted by a truck next to the event’s main stage and was shielded from the media by organisers.

Nevertheless, reporters were able to snap a few photos of the activist as he stood beside former NSW Premier and Foreign Affairs Minister, Bob Carr.

Mr Assange and his family have laid low since being freed from the US on espionage charges in June 2024.

Mr Assange was incarcerated in London’s HM Belmarsh Prison from April 2019 to to June 2024 while the US tried to extradite him to America to face conspiracy charges over leaked secret military data.

Under a plea deal with US prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to an Espionage Act charge of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. national defence documents, and returned to Australia on June 26.

Protesters have made their way onto the bridge.

NSW Police said it will allow protesters to walk back across the bridge ‘due to increased concerns for public safety’.

‘Initial plans were for protesters were to walk north from the Wynyard end of the Bridge, then disperse in North Sydney; however, due to the public safety risk and prevailing weather conditions, a decision has been made to permit protesters to walk back southbound across the bridge to the Sydney CBD,’ it said in a statement.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson, cited concerns of a crowd crush.

‘Protesters now have the option of walking to the end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then turning around and walking back to the Sydney CBD, which will be facilitated by specialist tactical police,’ he said.

‘People who travelled from Sydney’s northern suburbs can leave the group, and North Sydney Train Station will remain open and operating as originally intended, but due to the risk of a potential crowd crush scenario at the train station, we will now provide the third option of allowing protesters to walk back across the Bridge and disperse in the CBD.

‘This means the Bridge will remain closed for a longer period than originally planned, until the operation concludes.

‘I urge all involved to obey directions of police – they are acting in the best interests of everyone. Our planning and intent has always been to ensure the safety of everyone.

‘We do not have an alternative.’

After hearing emotionally-charged speeches, riled-up protesters have begun their march towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Hundreds of Palestinian flags waved above thousands of attendees, all marching shoulder-to-shoulder.

Organisers of Sunday’s protest have advised participants to beware of undercover police, stick with people they trust and record any suspicious behaviour.

The warning came after Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson said NSW Police will have a ‘high-visibility presence’ at the event.

‘The first and upmost priority for NSW Police is always the safety of those protesting, other members of the public who may be impacted by the protest, and the officers involved in the operation,’ Mr Johnson said.

‘Police will have a high-visibility presence at the operation today and will work with participants to ensure there are no breaches of the peace.

‘We ask all those who will be participating in the protest to please follow police directions and respect those around you. We also encourage other members of the public to avoid the area if possible.

‘Any unlawful or dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated or any actions that risk the safety of others. Police will not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.’

Speeches in Lang Park, near Wynyard on the bridge’s south side, are set to begin shortly.

After hearing from several keynote speakers about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, protesters will start their walk through the CBD at 1.30pm.

They are expected to have fully crossed the bridge around 3pm with the Harbour Bridge set to re-open to motorists at 4pm.

Heavy rain is set to hit protesters as the march begins.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of strong winds reaching up to 35km/h, causing Sydney’s current 16C temperature to feel much colder.

Marchers are also dealing with wet weather, with 7mm having fallen since 9am.

Stuck in Sydney and confused about what’s going on?

We’ve written up some easy information about public transport, road closures and police warnings.

Palestine Action Group spokesperson Josh Lees said the ‘masses have turned out’ for the protest despite heavy rain.

While he wouldn’t give an exact figure of the crowd he expected, Lees told the Sydney Morning Herald organisers believed ‘tens of thousands’ would still attend.

Police warned that officers will be closely monitoring the large crowd for ‘unlawful and anti-social behaviour’.

‘As part of the operation, general duties officers will be assisted by specialist police from the Police Transport Command, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Group (OSG), Mounted Unit, Dog Unit, PolAir and other specialist commands,’ police said in a statement.

‘The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority for NSW Police is always the safety and security of the wider community.

‘Police will not tolerate unlawful behaviour or any actions that risk the safety of others and will not hesitate to take appropriate action against anyone who commits a criminal offence.’

Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Lang Park ahead of the 1pm meeting time to listen to keynote speakers.

Embattled Macquarie University academic Randa Abdel-Fattah, Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi and ‘Freedom flotilla’ activist Tania Safi are among those speaking.

A sea of Palestinian flags, kaffiyeh ponchos and umbrellas was seen listening as speeches began.

Other speakers include republican movement leader Craig Foster, Maritime Union leader Paul Keating.

Demonstrators are set to leave the park and head toward the bridge from 1.30pm.

Sydney won’t be the only Aussie hub shut down by protesters.

Pro-Palestine demonstrators are set to block Melbourne’s King Street Bridge on Sunday.

The bridge is one of the main thoroughfares connecting the city’s CBD with southern suburbs.

The rally is set to begin at midday (the scene at the State Library of Victoria, where a march will set off from, is pictured below).

On Saturday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan warned those who disrupted emergency services would be dealt with ‘swiftly’ by police.

Transport for NSW Executive Director Operations Management, Craig Moran, urged commuters to avoid attempting to cross the bridge during the protest.

Bus services will not cross the bridge during the demonstration.

Buses on the south side of the bridge will terminate in the CBD while those on the northern side will end at North Sydney and St Leonards.

Trains will continue operating across the bridge throughout the protest but are expected to suffer significant delays due to increased commuter volume.

Metro services are also experiencing operational issues.

The Metro will not be available between Tallawong and Sydenham due to track work.

Buses will replace Metro services between Tallawong and Chatswood.

‘The closure will not only impact the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but will have a flow on effect throughout the public transport and road network,’ Mr Moran said.

‘There will be significant delays and disruption so if you must travel, allow plenty of additional journey time, particularly for any critical travel, such as going to the airport.

‘There will be extensive queues in both directions to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel which will extend to the Western Distributor, Anzac Bridge, Rozelle Interchange as well as Eastern Distributor in the south, and also the Gore Hill Freeway and Lane Cove Tunnel and all of the roads linking into these major corridors.

‘A reminder that due to scheduled trackwork Metro services will not run between Tallawong and Sydenham today.

‘The L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford light rail will also truncate at Town Hall, and there will be no services between Town Hall and Circular Quay.’

(A Sydney pro-Palestine protest in July is pictured below)

NSW Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Adam Johnson urged people to avoid Sydney’s CBD where possible.

He warned ‘the risk is the numbers [of protesters] are unknown’

‘If you’re not going to engage in the assembly I would suggest you do not come to the city,’ Johnson said.

‘There’s going to be major disruptions.

‘But if you choose to come in and participate in the assembly, please do so reasonably, lawfully, listen to police instructions, listen to the marshals who are leading the procession as well.’