Thousands marched through the CBD in two opposing rallies. Fewer than 500 nationalist, anti-immigration protesters gathered near State Parliament while more than 5,000 counter-demonstrators led by Indigenous activists, pro-Palestine groups, anti-war campaigners, climate activists and socialist organisations filled the streets. Police declared a designated area, deployed squads, mounted units and used crowd-control measures to keep the groups apart around Spring Street and Parliament House. Tensions flared but officers contained the protests preventing major clashes in the city.