The first picket of Marks and Spencer of 2003 got of to a great start on Saturday (the 4th) . Members of Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism! joined forces with supporters to picket M&S's flagship store on Oxford St and to expose their links and support for Israel.

Outside the main entrance was a Palestinian man bounded, blindfolded and kneeling at the feet of an Israeli soldier who held a gun (or rather a large and colourful water-pistol) to his head. Around them were blacards and banners reading the likes of: 'Stop M&S Sponsorship of Israeli terror' - 'Palestine: 24 Hr Curfew' ' Hospitals - Destroyed. Schools - Destroyed. Nurseries - Destroyed' etc.

The great consumption and apathy that had overpowered the public over the Christmas period had appeared, at least to a degree, to have vanished. Many people stopped to look, listen and ponder what the hell was going on with all these colourful people in the middle of Oxford St.

The odd raving Zionist appeared too, cursing and spitting (literally) about how we apparently were guilty of killing Jewish children and other such warped fictions. Such a display gathered the crowds further to witness the ongoing theatre - along with the cops who come back and forth like a yo-yo, looking for an excuse to break up what was a noisy but peaceful gathering. Needless to say Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people is now intensifying (if that's possible!).

It's imperative that we keep the Palestinian struggle in the public's consciousness and to show Britain's economic links to the Israeli apartheid state. Another picket has been called for Saturday the 18th of January from 12 to 2pm outside the M&S on Oxford St (Marble Arch end - next to Selfridges). We urge everyone to come along and make it a day to remember, we have an open mike and need new ideas for theatre. So whether you are seasoned campaigners or those just pissed off by the fact that there's a load of talk around but no action - please come along and show your support for the Palestinian people.