Comrade Morel discusses the events of Brisbane Marches for Palestine, 12th of November 2023.
Numbers were initially sparse, and the sun bore down. Upon entering King George square, I observed multiple factions and displays. Various ostensibly aligned leftist orgs (socialist alternative, anarcho socialists and even a group of high school aged children assembled under a hammer and sickle). As the crowds grew the speakers began to talk of dwindling supplies and dire situations in Palestine through a now entirely inadequate speaker system. Between each speaker chants of “From the River, to the Sea” and “Free, Free Palestine” rung out, led by speakers and at times spontaneously. When the microphone was handed over to a young Palestinian child the tenor changed, and their clear oration drew sharp contrast with the previous speakers.
Clear and authentic their message was undeniable. At one point the assembly was interrupted by a pro-Israeli group of Māori men performing a Haka, their presence shielded by police officers and ultimately withering as 8 men against thousands will. Segueing to the march involved more chants of a free Palestine supported by syncopated drums. Standing at the exit I observed masses of people pouring out onto Brisbane’s well-worn protest path through the city, the throng of people being too large to see the front or back from the middle. Following a Palestinian flag of immense size that blocked the entire street, I met up with two comrades and between use we took part in the march supporting the flag as needed. Shouting support and clapping in time to the drums.
Before ending, the march became a sit-in on Elizabeth street, and for around fifteen minutes thousands of people sat on the street calling for a ceasefire. This civil disobedience was wholly unexpected but entirely understood by all involved and effective. As the march ended, I was curious to see how tolerant the police were of aberrance, and I pushed through the terminating line of police and continued a solo march beyond them to police indifference. Once finished us three comrades exchanged pleasantries and departed.
PARTISAN! 