Call for Patriotic Rally Follows Controversial Sydney Harbour Bridge Protest

Following a large pro-Palestinian demonstration on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on August 3, 2025, during which some participants reportedly displayed flags associated with extremist groups, activist Drew Pavlou has called for a "popular patriotic rally" on August 31. The protest, which saw an estimated 90,000 to 300,000 attendees, sparked significant debate over public safety and the nature of the displayed symbols.

The August 3rd protest, organized by the Palestine Action Group, proceeded after a New South Wales Supreme Court ruling overturned a police bid to prohibit it due to public safety concerns. Participants marched across the iconic bridge, many carrying Palestinian flags and signs calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Police described the crowd as "perilous" due to its unexpected size, necessitating text message alerts and helicopter announcements to manage the flow of demonstrators.

Reports from various media outlets and observers indicated the presence of controversial flags, including those resembling Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and ISIS banners, alongside portraits of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Combat Antisemitism Movement shared images on social media showing an Al-Qaeda flag and other inflammatory signs, stating, > "Singing 'The IDF are terrorists' while waving an Al-Qaeda flag? You can’t make this up."

Drew Pavlou, a prominent Australian activist known for his criticism of the Chinese government, reacted strongly to these reports. In a tweet, Pavlou stated, > "After the disgusting provocations we saw last week - Al Qaeda flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge - I would absolutely love to see a popular patriotic rally around the Australian flag. August 31 could be that day but only if the extremists are kept away."

The alleged display of extremist flags has drawn condemnation and intensified public discussion about the boundaries of protest and the importation of international conflicts onto Australian soil. While police focused on managing the large crowd safely, the presence of such symbols has fueled calls for counter-demonstrations emphasizing national unity and Australian values. The proposed August 31st rally aims to rally support around the Australian flag, seeking to distance the patriotic sentiment from any extremist elements.