Dozens of protests continue, almost every day of the week, and in every town and city. Socialist Party members have been attending in support, putting forward our demands – for a mass democratic struggle of Palestinians to fight for national self-determination, and a working-class political alternative in Britain opposed to war and oppression.
Wakefield – ‘Starmer, you can’t hide’
“Keir Starmer, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide” was one of a number of chants on the first march in Wakefield. 200 marched, with Socialist Party members amongst them, selling placards and copies of the Socialist, and marching behind our banner.
Along the route, one pub had a member of staff come out with glasses of water to quench the thirst of the marchers. Passing drivers tooted in support.
Anger at not just Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak, but also the two Wakefield Labour MPs – Simon Lightwood and Yvette Cooper – who voted against a ceasefire in November, rang out on the march and from rally speakers.
Nadiah Sharp resigned as a Labour councillor in opposition to the party’s stance on Gaza. She also expressed her opposition to plans by the Labour council to increase charges for funeral costs, as well as highlighting the ongoing struggle taxi drivers have had with the council over licensing issues.
Our stall at the rally was swamped at times, with people coming up to sign petitions, including one encouraging people to help us stand candidates against Starmer’s warmongering Labour in the upcoming elections, with five confirmed the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidates in Wakefield so far, up from three last year.
Iain Dalton
Swindon – our own candidates
Scott Hunter reports that the mood on the Swindon march was more determined than ever. He explained how a new feature of this march was an increased awareness that elections will be coming soon: “I was not the only speaker to raise the issue. Another speaker, who said he had only recently become politically active due to the war in Gaza, talked about the need not to vote for candidates who haven’t supported a ceasefire.
“I got a chance to speak and took the issue further: it’s not enough just to withdraw support from capitalist politicians, we need to stand our own candidates on a programme of internationalism and socialism! I appealed to the crowd to join us in standing a broad workers’ list in local and general elections under the TUSC banner and the crowd chanted: ‘No ceasefire, no vote!’”
London – stopping isn’t an option
At the end of the work week, I hear a voice inside saying: “Maybe I’ll rest this Saturday”. But that’s not an option.
I have to do something, until Palestinians are free from the terror being unleashed upon them. So I came to the protest at Marble Arch, handing out Socialist Party placards.
People of all demographics flooded past towards Hyde Park, noticeably more than the last march. So many were keen to take the ‘End Israeli state terror’ placards I held – people donated £130 to the Socialist Party for the ones I was carrying.
Many had signs of their own, all fighting for the cause. “I want to hear you singing later”, I would say. Usually replied with a smile: “Oh, don’t you worry, I will”. They seemed more ready than ever to shout in support of Palestinians.
The people passing me are in stark contrast to mainstream media that evening; “Ten people arrested”; “total chaos”. I’m sure those who regularly police these marches are aware how false these accusations are.
A family from Palestine approached me, and we eagerly discussed what would end the Israeli state terror. They drew the conclusion that funding from the USA and other allies must stop.
“What happens then?”, I ask. Everyone I say this to agrees that we live in a class system.
We need to go to the root of the problem. We must organise a political alternative to capitalism, backed by workers’ action. Who funds terror? Not us, never!
Richard Tilley
Gaza protests continue
In Darlington, Daniel Forrest reports how Socialist Party members and others placed themselves outside of the office of Darlington’s Tory MP Peter Gibson, a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel. “Someone popped their head out of the office door to strangely offer us a cup of tea whilst slyly taking a picture of us, as if we were doing something wrong by protesting outside the office of an MP!”
In Bristol, the march grew as it progressed, largely due to passers-by in the busy streets joining in. Nicholas Clare reported many of the placards and banners were directed at the UK’s support for Israel in the form of arms sales and the recent bombings in Yemen. Bristol is home to multiple arms manufacturers, including a factory for Israeli arms company Elbit Systems.
The weekly demonstration that has been taking place in the predominantly Muslim district of Alum Rock in Birmingham turned into a march to the city centre branch of Barclays Bank on 10 February, to demonstrate revulsion at its role financing arms companies supplying the Israeli state, reported Clive Walder.
