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National action against Caterpillar 16.4.05 Birmingham

Bert Gedin | 19.04.2005 10:42 | Anti-militarism | Social Struggles | Birmingham

Stop the Disgrace Called Caterpillar!

The national action against Caterpillar, which consisted of a protest motorcade past Caterpillar finance in Solihull and a rally in Birmingham city centre, was supported by national PSC (Palestinian Solidarity Campaign) & others. People joined in from Leicester, Coventry, Wales, Preston, Liverpool, Exeter etc.

At long last, action is being taken nationally and internationally to stop Caterpillars exports, from the USA to Israel, of bulldozers for aggressive usage against Palestinian civilians, in the occupied territories.

Two main events for the day 1) A Protest Motorcade 2) A Palestine Rally

the open-top double-decker bus lead the protest motorcade
the open-top double-decker bus lead the protest motorcade

Caterpillar/Perkins also make tanks for the Israeli Occupying Forces
Caterpillar/Perkins also make tanks for the Israeli Occupying Forces

Israels illegal Apartheid Wall must fall
Israels illegal Apartheid Wall must fall

the wheels on the bus go round and round
the wheels on the bus go round and round

on top of the bus
on top of the bus

outside Caterkiller Finance H.Q. Hockley Heath
outside Caterkiller Finance H.Q. Hockley Heath

Caterpillar kills
Caterpillar kills

the 60 car motorcade protest stretched way back
the 60 car motorcade protest stretched way back

Caterpillar Finances H.Q. now firmly on the map
Caterpillar Finances H.Q. now firmly on the map

peace and solidarity all the way up Stratford Road and around the city
peace and solidarity all the way up Stratford Road and around the city

the rally for Palestine platform - activists, campaigners and...politicians
the rally for Palestine platform - activists, campaigners and...politicians

Kamel from the Ramallah twinning committee
Kamel from the Ramallah twinning committee

Stephen from Jews for Justice
Stephen from Jews for Justice

speaker from the Friends of Sabeel
speaker from the Friends of Sabeel

Betty from national PSC urges people to take action in solidarity with Palestine
Betty from national PSC urges people to take action in solidarity with Palestine

the real focus of the rally: the diverse people of Birmingham
the real focus of the rally: the diverse people of Birmingham

Charlotte from the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.Caterkiller.com
Charlotte from the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.Caterkiller.com


The motorcade people met up at Hopwood Service Station at 11-ish, before setting off in a convoy procession. Other than, possibly, some 60 cars, we also hired an open-top double-decker bus, flags & banners prominently displayed (e.g. "Caterpillar Kills Peace in Palestine"). Upon reaching Caterpillar Offices, some of us hopped off to join fellow demonstrators already there. Not without police presence. We cheered on the motorcade, got joyous waves & horn-honking in return.

Afterwards, following a march through the City, we linked up with the Victoria Square rally, where a stage had been set up. Various stalls, art, literature etc., around the Square, highlighted matters Palestinian. Some organisations represented by speakers: Friends of Sabeel, B'ham Stop the War, Jews for Justice, Green Party, Stop Caterpillar etc. And, the indefatigable, Clare Short.

Up to a point, a successful day. But, only when Caterpillar has ceased it's bloody war crimes, in collusion with "democratic" Israel, can we claim total success. Those who care can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines.

Hi-res photographs available from  feckin_images@tiscali.co.uk

Bert Gedin

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  1. boycott israel — - -
  2. Tutu at Sabeel — repost