Ulladulla Joins the March for Humanity - Gadigal, Sunday 3rd August 2025
We are heartened by the powerful actions of the Ulladulla community, who made the seven-hour round trip to stand alongside hundreds of thousands on Gadigal Country, filling the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the historic March for Humanity.
Thanks to the efforts of Glenn Findley, Mandy Andresen and Takesa Frank - who swiftly organised a community bus - 35 participants joined the journey together, with many more inspired to travel independently. In just a few days, a small regional town showed how deeply ordinary people care.
Why We Marched
Eighteen months ago, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - the world’s leading legal body - warned that Israel was committing actions in Gaza that could be defined as genocide. They declared it a duty of all countries and citizens to act.
So, what is genocide?
Under international law, genocide is defined as any act intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a group of people based on their nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion. It goes beyond mass killing. It includes:
Killing members of the group
Causing serious physical or mental harm
Creating conditions intended to wipe out the group (such as starvation or forced displacement)
Preventing births
Forcibly transferring children from the group
Genocide is about erasure - of identity, culture, families, and future generations - simply because of who people are.
What Can We Do?
While Australian politicians and media have largely failed to report truthfully, images of horrific suffering have reached homes across the nation. The silence in official spaces contrasts with the heartbreak and solidarity felt in private.
Inspired by Craig Foster’s call to action, here are steps we can take:
join and follow local groups taking action, including the next March for Humanity
donate to on-the-ground Palestinian organisations
write to your political representatives asking that they act urgently to:
Free all hostages - both Israeli and the many Palestinians being held without charges or trials.
Stop the violence - especially the acts that international courts say could be genocide. Get urgent aid to people now.
Sanction Israel - like Australia did to Myanmar and Russia for human rights abuses.
Cut military support - including weapons and parts Australia is exported that have been linked to attacks in Gaza.
End the occupation - remove illegal settlements and stop racial segregation. Australia must not support these actions.
Ban from global sports - suspend Israel (and any country accused of genocide) from international competitions.
Let journalists in - give access to reporters, UN investigators, and human rights groups in Gaza.
Back international courts - support the legal bodies facing political pressure.
Hold people accountable - investigate and punish war crimes and other human rights violations.
Injustice anywhere makes everyone less safe. Protecting human rights is our collective obligation.
None of us are free until all of us are free.
Australia’s Continued Legacy of Cultural Genocide
As Australians, our responsibility carries further weight. The truth-telling underway at home reflects our own history of genocide and the ongoing cultural genocide and cultural erasure against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2025 ‘Truth Be Told’ report by the Yoorook Justice Commission gives voice to this reality:
“It was a genocide of denying me my existence…”
“Cultural genocide, separation from Country and kin… Aboriginal deaths in custody…”
“To perpetrate linguicide is to perpetrate genocide…”
Our commitments to strengthening Aboriginal cultural practices, Language revitalisation, and connection to Country, are not abstract ideas - they are acts of resistance and human rights.
Shared Empathy, Shared Power
Gadigal community showed true strength and solidarity at the protest, alongside mob from across the country.
Aboriginal leaders at the March expressed deep solidarity with Palestinians, reflecting shared lived experience as Indigenous peoples. Commissioner Vanessa Turnbull Roberts captured the spirit of the day:
“Imagine if we thought we were alone in this. Sunday proved just how strong and loving our collective power truly is. People from all walks of life… Everyone has a role. All kids are our kids.”
