Palestine solidarity demos in the UK

[Larry O'Hara]

Big march in London today with 17 arrested. Thousands take part in pro-Palestinian march in central London

I saw this and a few minutes later realised just why this whole article is despicable.

It does not mention once that this march was not just pro-Palestinian but anti-IDF Genocide.

The BBC are total and utter scum

 

[hitmouse]

Workplace day of action tomorrow, endorsed by the TUC. Confirmed events are:

Birmingham:

University of Birmingham Rally for Palestine – Green Heart, Birmingham, B15 2TT – 12pm – food, music and community spirit!

Brighton:

Brighton University – Elm House, Moulsecoomb Campus, University of Brighton, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ – called by University of Brighton UCU – 1pm

Central Brighton – Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 4AH – 1pm
Sussex University – called by Sussex UCU, Sussex UNISON and Sussex Palestine campaign – assemble Library Square 12noon

Bristol:

Bristol School Strike – Elbit Systems HQ, 600 Park Avenue, Aztec West, North Bristol, BS32 4RA – 10am-12pm.

City of Bristol College Lunchtime Protest – College Green Site – 12.30-1pm.

University of Bristol – Divest for Palestine Lunchtime Rally: Senate House, Tyndall Ave – 12.30-2pm.

Edinburgh:

Teach Out for Palestine – Outside Main Library, 30 George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9LJ – 12pm.

Kingston:

Kingston Uni Staff & Student Walkout – Townhouse, Penrhyn Rd, 12.30-13.30.

London:

City & Islington College – Lunchtime Protest: 444 Camden Road, Islington, N7 0SP – 12.30pm

Hammersmith & Fulham Unison Rally: Outside 145 King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9JT, 1-2pm. Sign up to take action here.

KCL – Staff Student Walk-Out, Outside Strand Building, 12.30pm

LSE – Student-Staff Rally & Assembly: Centre Building Plaza (CBG), Houghton St, London – 11.30am-1.30pm

University of Westminster – Anti-War Teach-Out: Room UG.05, 309 Regent Street, London, W1B 2HW – 4.30-6pm

Westminster Kingsway College – Lunchtime Protest: 211 Grays Inn Rd, London, WC1X 8RA- Weds 9 Oct, 12.30pm

Woolwich – Queen Elizabeth Hospital Rally: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich (Main Entrance) – 12-1pm. Organised by Greenwich & Bexley Trades Union Council, with Bexley Palestine Action and Greenwich Palestine Action.

Manchester:

11:00-1:00 Manchester Metropolitan UNISON stall

11:00 Brunswick Park -Student demo assembly point march to MRI

11:30-12:30 Manchester Royal Infirmary (Denmark/Oxford road) Health workers, protest and bake sale

12:30 – 1:30 Council workers Peace Vigil, Sunken Garden, Trafford Town Hall

12:30 Greater Manchester Transport UNISON Piccadilly Place M1 3GB, protest and collection for Medical Aid for Palestine

1-1:30 Outside Aldi, School Road, Sale. Trafford Trades council protest with flags and banners

There may be others near you.

In other news, court support needed for a 3-4 week trial at Isleworth Crown Court in London, and a court hearing on Friday in Edinburgh.

 

[hitmouse]

Secrets of a Successful Organiser Workers in Palestine

Join Workers in Palestine and Labour Notes for a series of interactive online workshops focused on strengthening organising skills to build real and lasting support for Palestine in our workplaces and unions. Sessions will provide practical tools and real-world examples to help us organise to...

docs.google.com

Join Workers in Palestine and Labour Notes for a series of interactive online workshops focused on strengthening organising skills to build real and lasting support for Palestine in our workplaces and unions. Sessions will provide practical tools and real-world examples to help us organise to win.
In response to the call from Palestinian workers, many of us have mobilised to end the genocide in Gaza—through strikes, blockades, marches, and union actions. We’ve seen how the power of organised labour can disrupt the arms trade and challenge complicity. Now, it’s time to take this work further by building the skills and strategies needed to sustain this fight.
This will be a set of 4 workshops, held on Thursdays, in November and will run from 7-9pm GMT. They will be online workshops held via Zoom, led by Labour Notes organiser Lisa Xu.
WORKSHOPS WILL INCLUDE:

• Beating Apathy
• Assembling Your Dream Team
• Turning An Issue Into a Campaign
• Palestine In the Workplace

This workshop is for all of us committed to doing this work—whether you’re new to workplace/union organising or have been at it for years! Come prepared to engage and share.
Accessibility: Zoom's automatic captions will be turned on during the session. Please feel free to contact us with other accessibility needs or questions: workersinpalestine@proton.me
Space is limited to ensure effective workshops, but we’ll be offering more sessions in the future. Sign up to express your interest, and we’ll keep you informed about upcoming dates.
Please register by October 25.

 

[tony.c]

 

[Gramsci]

As it happens went by the camp by the American Embassy today. Still going strong.

 

[hitmouse]

The Shenstone 4 put their bodies in the way of Elbit's drone factory to successfully shut down the Israeli weapons maker!

Now, they'll stand trial and fight to prove Elbit is Guilty, they are not.

Mobilise from 9.30AM-4.30PM on October 21st-24th at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, WV1 1RE.

 

[hitmouse]

Six of the Filton 10 are imprisoned at HMP Bronzefield. They are accused of costing Israel's largest weapons firm over £1million in damages.

Due to the abuse of the Terrorism Act, they have been facing severe restrictions since arrival. This has included one activist being categorised as an escape risk for over a week, another being targeted by guards and denied their religious rights.

They've all been banned from associating with one another, leading to them only receiving one visit per six visits other prisoners are entitled to.

Join us for a protest this Saturday outside HMP Bronzefield at 5.30pm to demand the CPS drop the use of counter-terrorism powers against all of the Filton 10 and show your solidarity!

Bring torches, pots, pans, noise, banners, flags and get ready to make some noise for Palestine Action's political prisoners.

 

[hitmouse]

Some really good news for a change:

Barclays sells all shares in Israeli weapons firm Elbit amid pro-Palestinian pressure

British banking giant has reported zero shares in Israel's Elbit Systems, down 16,345 since a previous filing, after accusations of aiding genocide in Gaza

www.middleeasteye.net

 

[hitmouse]

Thales 5 Support Fund

Donate to support five activists from Palestine Action who've been imprisoned for costing Thales' weapons factory in Glasgow over £1million.
In a draconian move, four of the five were given 12 months sentences. One was handed a 14 month sentence. They will be expected to serve half of their sentences in prison.

Thales is one of the world's largest arms companies - producing armoured vehicles, missile systems and drones. The company works in partnership with Elbit Systems, Israel's biggest weapons producer, to manufacture military drones which are "battle-tested" on the Palestinian people.

Donations will be used to cover costs associated with supporting the activists and their loved ones during their imprisonment, including:

• In prison costs for each activist
• Travel costs to visit the imprisoned activists
• Bills of imprisoned activists

 

[teqniq]

Result!

@Pal_action
BREAKING: Lobby firm APCO Worldwide drop their longstanding client, Israel's biggest weapons firm, Elbit Systems.

Previously, the paid lobbyists said they could access anyone "from the prime minister down".

Direct action can defeat the Israel lobby.

View attachment ssstwitter.com_1730454353401.mp4

source

 

[Gramsci]

The counter demo that will be on route of the national march tomorrow.

I hope people on march just ignore it.

 

[Gramsci]

The route tomorrow

https://palestinecampaign.org/events/national-demonstration-for-palestine-2-november-2024/

 

[teqniq]

Lammy being made to feel uncomfortable. Couldn't wait to get out of there when he realised which way the wind was blowing:

Tottenham and Haringey Palestine Action
@haringeypals
Tottenham Residents Show Solidarity with Palestinians as the MP visits Food Bank on Friday Morning, November 1, 2024

View attachment ssstwitter.com_1730485643569.mp4

source

 

[hitmouse]

Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre got a makeover this morning:

 

[hash tag]

Looks like a great crowd down at the American embassy today. Sadly, was too busy to get there.

 

[stethoscope]

Tried to get down for a bit, but afternoon ran away before having to jump on the train back up north. The one I did get to in June was huge, and looks like still large numbers turning out.

 

[TopCat]

Lots on the tube

 

[zedr]

Seen on various channels that there was a demo and counter demo at SOAS yesterday because Francesca Albanense, the UN special rapporteur, was giving a talk. Saw a few pictures of the Campaign Against Antisemitism with banners saying 'There Is No Genocide In Gaza' which seems totally baffling to me, but I guess this is just the IRL clash of ppl loving in very different media silos.

 

[hitmouse]

Elbit blockaded again this morning:

Activists blockade two Elbit sites in Bristol - Freedom News

Lock-on devices inside vans used to block the gates of Israeli arms company R&D hub in Filton and headquarters at Aztec West ~ Scott Harris ~ Palestine Action says its activists today blockaded the entrances of two sites in Bristol operated by Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest weapons company. The...

freedomnews.org.uk

 

[hitmouse]

Next workplace day of action is Thursday 28th:

https://palestinecampaign.org/events/workplace-day-of-action-thursday-28th-november/

 

[hitmouse]

Not much coverage of it so far but counter-terrorism cops made 10 arrests this week against Palestine campaigners. Annoyingly the most detailed coverage I can find comes from bloody Harpin. Six in London, one each in Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester:

Police launch wave of raids to suppress the anti-genocide movement

www.cage.ngo

Ten Palestine Action activists arrested on suspicion of terror offences - Jewish News

Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) confirmd arrests in connection with investigation into attack on Israeli owned Elbit Systems UK in August

www.jewishnews.co.uk

 

[hitmouse]

Next national workplace day of action is tomorrow, Unison at least seem to be endorsing these pretty strongly:

Workplace Day of Action – Thursday 28th November​

Workplace Day of Action: Ceasefire Now | Events | UNISON National

On Thursday, 28 November trade union branches across the UK will be taking part in a workplace day of action to demand a ceasefire to end the war in Gaza

www.unison.org.uk

Some local ones include:
Take action at the Department for Business and Trade which grants arms licenses, with the Palestinian Youth Movement, Workers for a Free Palestine, Queers for Palestine, Sisters Uncut and London for a Free Palestine. Meet 8.30am at James Cook statue. Arms embargo NOW!

Thursday 28th Nov
1130-130pmish, Elbit Systems, FILTON, Bristol, Belvedere Close, BS34 6FE

We stand in solidarity with the #filton20 & against oppression of people trying to stop a genocide.

*This is a peaceful protest
*Bring flags, noise & a mask if you wish.
*Do not talk to police - especially the ‘nice’ ones in blue bibs.

Workers are also encouraged to join from Local businesses & also unionised workers from Elbit (GMB/Unite) as part of the @palestinesolidarityuk ‘Workers Day of Action’

Free Parking available on all local streets - no restrictions, & in some businesses (open to customers).
Toilets available nearby - posted nearer time.

>20 activists are being held in prison, arrested under TERORRISM LAWS for allegedly causing £1 million worth of damage to Elbit Systems UK innovation & manufacturing hub in Bristol. Two raids have taken place, each 1 arresting 10 innocent activists at a time.

THALES POP UP LEAFLETING IN CONJUCTION WITH TUC WORKPLACE DAY OF ACTION

Heeding the call by the Trades Union Congress, we will once again be aiming to leaflet Thales employees in order to keep the pressure on Thales and the government to stop arming Israel!

Join us!

This Thursday 28th November
7 - 9 AM
Thales, Cheadle Heath, Stockport, Oakhurst Drive, SK3 0XB

Imagine the police are liable to quite lively at that Bristol one.

 

[tony.c]

National PSC march tomorrow (Sat 30 Nov) in London:

 

[Cloo]

I'll be at this tomorrow:

 

[hitmouse]

Support Drew: A True Palestine Action Hero!

Drew has been on the frontlines of the fight for justice for over 4 years, standing boldly against Elbit Systems and their complicity in oppression. Now, he faces a whole week in court for his courageous actions.

Monday & Tuesday: Drew is in the Magistrates’ Court for a 2023 action that severed Fisher German’s ties with Elbit Systems.
Wednesday to Friday: He appears in Minshull Street Crown Court for a 2021 action at Elbit (Ferranti), an act of resistance that contributed to the site’s closure a year later.

These victories wouldn’t be possible without brave comrades like Drew. It’s now our turn to show up and stand with him.

Join us in solidarity: Outside the courts every day to show your support.
Spread the word: Share Drew’s story and inspire others to act.

 

[Serge Forward]

This in today's Grauniad on police misuse of anti terrorism laws. Swansea mother ‘traumatised’ by arrest under Terrorism Act