Civil rights groups have hit out at NSW Premier Chris Minns after he declared Sydney would “descend into chaos” if pro-Gaza protesters were allowed to march across the Harbour Bridge.

Thousands of people were expected to join the Sydney Harbour Bridge procession on Sunday opposing Israel’s war on the blockaded enclave, before NSW Police said they would not permit it.

The force has taken court action to categorise the planned march as unlawful and unauthorised. The matter is listed in the NSW Supreme Court for 12.30pm on Friday.

Organising group Palestine Action Group Sydney has vowed to rally regardless, without specifying where, of the court outcome, ending a Facebook post with “whatever happens, see you on Sunday”.

Minns, who has blamed demonstrators for draining police resources for nearly two years of weekly protests in central Sydney, said he “cannot allow Sydney to descend into chaos”.

NSW has a permit system that allows protesters to block public roads and infrastructure. Police can go to court to seek to deny permission.

In an open letter, lawyers have again questioned NSW’s protest laws and argued they run contrary to Australia’s civil rights obligations under an international treaty.

“As a party to the core United Nations human rights treaties, Australia has recognised that freedom of assembly is a fundamental human right and, in consequence, NSW must protect it,” Australian Lawyers for Human Rights vice-president Kerry Weste said.

“The right of peaceful assembly extends to all gatherings for peaceful purposes, wherever they take place. and regardless of whether they occur in the form of demonstrations, protests, meetings, processions, rallies, sit-ins, candle-lit vigils or even flash mobs.”

More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war on Gaza, according to local health authorities, while dozens of people are reported by the United Nations to have died in recent weeks due to starvation.

Israel’s military campaign began after militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking more than 251 hostages.

The Harbour Bridge has previously been shut including for a reconciliation rally in 2000, which attracted more than 250,000 people, a World Pride event with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s participation and a Hollywood film production.

It will also be shut late in August for the Sydney Marathon.

-AAP