The black, coffin-shaped speaker was draped with a bunch of red gladioli. At its base, a headstone read "Sydney, 1788-2014, Taken before its time."

Touches like these - half-comic, half-dramatic - were common in the latest protest against Sydney's lockout laws as thousands marched from Central station to Hyde Park on Sunday.

Organisers estimated 15,000 people turned up to the peaceful event, although some media put the figure at half that. Many wore white "Keep Sydney Open" t-shirts, while others carried disco ball pickets. They rallied against staff cuts, venue shutdowns, a lack of personal freedom and lost opportunities for young musicians.