Pro-Palestinian Protestors Removed From International Cricket Match

A pro Palestine banner is removed by security during Day 4 of the first Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia on Dec. 17, 2023. AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

A pro-Palestinian banner displaying the messages “freedom is a human right,” and “all lives are equal” was removed from Optus stadium in Perth during a match on the weekend.

Cricket fans were also heard chanting pro-Palestinian slogans on the fourth day of the test match between Australia and Pakistan.

The sign, written in red, green, and black, displayed the same message Australian batsman Usman Khawaja wore on his shoes during a recent training session.

The banner displayed by fans was removed for breaching Cricket Australia’s terms of entry, and the patrons were removed by security due to alleged “anti-social behaviour.”

“A sign was removed because it contravened Cricket Australia’s terms and conditions of entry,” Optus Stadium said in a statement reported by The Australian.

“Some patrons were removed because of antisocial behaviour, not because of the sign.”

The Epoch Times has contacted Optus Stadium for additional comment.

Test Opener Speaks Out

The news follows Muslim opening batter Usman Khawaja declaring he would fight a decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) preventing him from wearing political messages on his shoes for the cricket match.

The cricketer took to social media to declare the message was not political and he was not taking sides.

The shoes of cricketer Usman Khawaja are pictured during an Australian nets session the at the WACA in Perth, Australia on Dec. 11, 2023. Paul Kane/Getty Images

“The ICC have told me I can’t wear my shoes on field because they believe it is a political statement under their guidelines. I don’t believe it is so. It is a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view and decision, but I will fight it and seek to gain approval. Freedom is a human right,” he said on X

“What I wrote on my shoes isn’t political. I am not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life, is equal to one Hindu life, and so on,” he said.

Mr. Khawaja expressed concern for innocent people dying in the Middle East conflict, explaining it makes him think of his two girls.

“I am just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice. this is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls,” he said.

“What if this was them? No one chooses where they were born. And then I see the world turn their backs on them. My heart can’t take it. I already feel my life wasn’t equal to others growing up, but luckily for me I never lived in a world where that lack of inequality was life or death,” he said.

Cricket Australia said it supports the right of players to express personal opinions, but players are expected to uphold ICC rules.

“We support the right of our players to express personal opinions,” the statement reported by Fox Sports said.

“But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold.”