https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/04/pro-palestine-pro...Pro-Palestine protesters scale roof of Australia’s Parliament House
to unfurl banners criticising war in Gaza
Call for investigation into security breach after parliament partly locked down as activists climbed onto roof to reveal banner declaring ‘war crimes … enabled here’
Some areas of Australia’s federal parliament were locked down
as pro-Palestine protesters climbed on to the roof of the building in Canberra and unfurled a banner declaring “war crimes … enabled here”.
Thursday’s protest focused on the war in Gaza appeared to be coordinated with other actions highlighting the climate crisis and Indigenous rights.
Members of the public were cleared from Parliament House on the last sitting day of a two-week session before politicians head home for the six-week winter break.
At about 10am on Thursday, anti-coal protesters in T-shirts emblazoned with “Rising Tide” initially drew police and parliamentary security officers to the foyer inside the building.
They glued themselves to marble pillars and while they were being dislodged and escorted outside, a second set of protesters appeared to climb over a wall and on to a portico above the main entrance to Parliament House.
The pro-Palestine activists unfurled banners protesting against the Gaza war and the treatment of Indigenous Australians, including one sign above the building’s public entrance that stated “war crimes” with a list of conflicts and a red inverted arrow that bore the words “enabled here”.
Another banner declared: “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.”
The activists – who issued a press statement calling themselves Renegade Activists – launched paper planes from the roof that also bore the words “war crimes” and detailed grievances. The protesters linked their action to 4 July – American independence day – and condemned Australia’s support for the US in global conflicts.
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