Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across Australia, denouncing what they described as a genocidal war on Gaza. In a powerful act of civil disobedience, demonstrators shut down the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Among them was WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, in a symbolic appearance that underscored growing global outrage.

Assange, who returned to Australia last year after enduring years in a high-security British prison for exposing Western war crimes, marched alongside his family and former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr, in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

While the Australian government has called for an end to the slaughter in Gaza, it continues to fall short of concrete action. To date, it has refused to officially recognize the State of Palestine. However, in a joint statement issued Tuesday with over a dozen nations, Australia expressed a vague “willingness” to consider recognition — a gesture many critics view as too little, too late in the face of mounting atrocities.