After nearly four years of demonstrating on a weekly basis it can seem difficult to maintain the enthusiasm and direction of the pickets at times. However, with the continuing brutality that the Palestinians are having to live under and endure it soon becomes clear that it is essential that we don't just maintain the pickets, but look at them, analyse them and take them forward.

I say this most weeks but last nights demo was excellent. There were at least 30-35 people on the demo, amongst whom were several new people. It is the ability of the pickets to bring in new people each week, even if it is often in small numbers, that has kept the demonstrations going with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. It's always good to hear new speeches on the megaphone, new chants, see new placards, new angles on arguments and new knowledge and experience. Without these things it is quite possible the demonstrations would have packed in a long time ago.

We had the benefit of a beautiful Summer evening last night and a bustling Oxford St full of Brits and tourists alike. Many visitors from the Gulf stopped to talk to us, join in with the chants and piss off the Zionists. A few Israeli tourists stopped to debate too (though in most cases shout at us). It was incredible to see, amongst the young and old alike, how utterly mindwashed a lot of these Israelis actually are. No matter how many facts you give them all they can see are 'suicide bombings' 'anti-Semitism' 'suicide bombings' 'anti-Semitism' over and over and over again like a broken record. This is because they can't deal with the facts, with the reality of the brutal occupation which they are causing so they decieve themselves. Like all those who are morally weak and mindless they play the 'victim' role. They can't deal with the fact, for example that 3547 Palestinians have been killed since 2001 compared to 948 israelis. If they look objectively at the truth they won't be able to deal with how thoroughly repressive and undemocratic Israel is. All they can do is bark on about how thoroughly repressive and undemocratic the Arab states are. They're right, the Arab regimes disgust me and the likes of the ruling Al Sau'ds in Saudi Arabia belong at the bottom of the Red Sea, but for all their faults at least they're not brutally occupying another land. It's easy for Zionists to criticise another government but not their own.

Which is why it is imperative that we keep on building the M&S demos. Not just to expose the brutality of the Israeli government but to highlight the links of Britain to Zionism and other repressive regimes around the world. We will be stepping up our campaign by having a demonstration this Saturday as well as next Thursday. Come along, support the Palestian people and boycott racist Marks and Spencer.

Victory to the Intifada!
Boycott M&S this Saturday 31st July, 12-2pm. Oxford St Marks and Spencer (Marble Arch)
and same store next and every Thursday, 6-8pm.