Since January 13, the rally plans were underway, speeches were delivered by organisers to various congregations, banners been made, dignitaries from parliament and national religious organizations were contacted and a full page advertisement was taken out in the Daily Telegraph on the morning of the rally.
Six days later, the Sydney rally took place, held for the Coptic martyrs of Nag Hammadi and all the Coptic martyrs in Egypt's history of persecutions.
A minimum of 7000 – 8000 Copts gathered at 12pm at Hyde Park, Sydney to march for Copts in Egypt. Several media outlets were present at the rally, ranging from TV stations, to radio stations to newspaper outlets. Church hymns and prayers commenced the march and were chanted throughout the procession. The atrocities committed against the Copts were read out soon after, before chants demanding equality, justice and an end to persecution dominated the march.
The procession came to a halt at Martin place where speeches by rally organisers, members of the clergy, members of parliament and national religious dignitaries were delivered. These speeches addressed the plethora of issues plaguing Copts in Egypt, such as unprovoked murder, abduction, rape and forcible conversion of young Coptic girls and discrimination against Church grants to build Holy infrastructure.
The rally has been hailed one of the most successful every held by the Coptic Australian community, allowing many in the Sydney CBD to observe and participate in the rally. It served as a channel to inform people who were unaware of the happenings in Egypt.
A petition was circulated throughout the crowd before being handed to the Department of Foreign Affairs, as was a letter to the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.
The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney issued a statement to thank all the participants in the rally.
"The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney and its affiliated regions, would like to thank the police who escorted the march, the security and ushers who guided the protesters, the dignitaries for their attendance, the clergy for their support, the rally organisers for their efforts, and finally, the congregation who not only participated, but who were willing to listen and understand the Coptic plight. Thank you."
