OVER 500 peaceful demonstrators joined in an act of defiance against the government’s attack on free speech and proscribing Palestinian Action as a terrorist organisation on Saturday outside the US embassy in south London.
What was clear is the campaign is not going away and the absolute determination of the participants is getting stronger.
Supporters of the Palestinian struggle and of Palestine Action held placards expressing their support gathered at the US embassy in Battersea and at 1pm held up their handwritten signs: ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.’
At the protest with his sign, Austin Walsh, from south London told News Line: ‘I’m here to continue the protest against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which is supported despite the change in government.
‘When Miliband spoke about sanctions on Israel he never even mentioned Gaza.’
Ams from north London who has been arrested many times said: ‘I have been arrested 15 times, 12 times for holding up a sign saying I support Palestine Action and 3 times under section 12 of the Terrorism Act which is ‘Encouraging support for Palestine Action’, which consists of telling people they should support Palestine Action which carries a jail sentence of 14 years.
‘Holding the sign carries a sentence of 6 months in jail.
‘I think Palestine Action is the one group that has caused material damage to the weapons of genocide. I support them wholeheartedly.’
East Londoner Noel Crane joined the protest and said: ‘I support Palestine Action because what they have done has put pressure on the government, but we need more than that.’
Ex-army veteran, Richard, from Somerset told News Line: ‘I think this is the 12th time I’ve done this, as I am not prepared to live in a country which is facilitating mass murder and is repressing free speech.’
Cleo, a teaching assistant from north London told News Line: ‘I saw the film Naza last night and it was horrific.
‘Outside the cinema, there were people giving out flyers for this action and I thought I couldn’t see that film and not come here and show my support.’
Also showing his support was Mick Flynn, from the CGT Trades Council in Marseilles Sud who told News Line: ‘I’m here to show support to these brave people standing against genocide.
‘In France, the pro-Zionist government has tried to force through legislation to make it a crime to say “Free Palestine from the river to the sea!” but the mass mobilisation of the trade union opposition has forced it to back down.
‘I fully support the decriminalisation of Palestine Action.
‘I went to the Tilbury Port on Friday from 5am to 11am, where 100 activists demonstrated in solidarity with the International Day of Action – Dockers Don’t Work for War!
‘At the port, was the RMT London Transport Regional Council representing 14 branches and 12,000 members, Southwark, Brent and Newham Trade Union Councils, Unite the Community Lambeth and Southwark gave full backing to and took part in the demonstrations in Tilbury and Liverpool.
‘The demonstration received a warm reception from dockers, port workers and truck drivers who took our leaflets and honked their horns in support.
‘After the demonstration at the port we marched in to Tilbury Town where we held a rally which was warmly welcomed by local citizens.’
Holding an impressive placard that he had spent the previous evening making, Craig French from Southend said: ‘Today is an important landmark prior to the Supreme Court hearing on the deproscription of the ban on Palestine Action.’
Sam from Suffolk who had made a special journey told News Line: ‘I am here to oppose the British government’s active involvement in committing genocide in Gaza.
‘I agree with a general strike to stop the system from operating so it can’t commit genocide.’
Christina Diamandopolous who has been arrested 4 times and was expecting to be arrested again, told News Line: ‘I’m here because I hate any kind of injustice and I’m a peace activist.
‘Direct action isn’t terrorism. We are losing our rights.’
Colin Sutherland Unison health and safety rep told News Line why he’d travelled down: ‘I came down to support the “lift the ban” campaign and obviously support Gaza against the genocide.
‘Trade unions must put effective pressure on the government to meet its obligations on international law as a signatory to the 1949 Genocide Convention.’
Arrests went on until the night with many being pensioners and people with disabilities who refused to walk with the police.
One woman making her position clear, said: ‘No I will not walk to aid the police in their complicity with a genocide!’
