13th January 2008

For immediate release: Free Gaza – Brighton West Pier Solidarity Banner Drop

Today a large sail was hung from Brighton's West Pier bearing the slogan “www.freegaza.org” as the Free Gaza boat prepares to return to Gaza to get desperately needed medical and food aid in.

This action has been done in solidarity with the people of Gaza. We are in regular contact with people on the ground in Gaza and what their blogs say are:

“A main fact to remember is that 50% of Gaza’s population who are under 18 years old. I have been working as a medic with the Red Crescent and Red Cross in Gaza and they have to ask permission from the Israeli forces before they can send ambulances – according to the RC here those requests are refused or ignored 80% of the time” - Jenny Linnel, Medic and Brighton resident

“This is the deliberate terrorisation of an entire civilian population... They are going to come in as deep as they can – they are going to kill as many as they can” - Ewa Jasciewicz, Free Gaza coordinator

One of the banner hangers. Linda Sabor, had this to say - “The Gaza strip is about as long as from Seaford to Worthing with about 3 times the population. That's not far off the Brighton Bus daysaver area, getting shelled from the downs and sea by the world's 4th largest army.”

Another protester, Danielle Fields, added “We hear a lot in the mainstream news about stopping arms smuggling through the Gaza-Egypt tunnels. As well as rockets, these tunnels are mainly used to smuggle in basic supplies because of Israel's blockade of Gaza and collective punishment of its population. We all have to take action now and get direct aid to the Palestinians.”

Religion and politics has created this mess. Today's action shows the solidarity of one people to another.

No borders! No war!

Info for editors
Jenny Linnel's blog is at www.talestotell.wordpress.com

Ewa Jasiewicz, Free Gaza Coordinator in Gaza can be contacted on +972 59 870 0497

See  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/417528.html for a map comparison of the size of Gaza and the south coast

Daily vigils in Brighton at the Clocktower, 1-2pm and 5-6pm

Live video link with Gaza and public meeting 7.30pm Friday 16th January @ Community Base South Wing, 113 Queens Road, Brighton