On Thursday 21st April 2 anti-war campaigners were physically attacked on the daily Peace Vigil on the Centre.   One of those attacked is now critically ill in hospital having suffered a brain haemorrhage

On Thursday 21st April 2 anti-war campaigners were physically attacked on the daily Peace Vigil on the Centre.   One of those attacked, a member of Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign, was holding a placard calling for an end to the siege of Gaza.  The attacker shouted anti-Palestinian slogans, threw him into the hedge and hit him around the head.   Over the next few days the PSC member became more and more unwell and was admitted to hospital on Sunday with a brain haemorrhage.  He is critically ill in Intensive Care.  Our thoughts are with him and his family and friends. 

The police were informed of the attack and examined CCTV footage of the attack.   The film was of such poor quality that it was not possible to identify anyone.  Without further investigation the police then closed the case.  On the 26th of April the police were made aware of his serious condition and the case has been re-opened.

Bristol PSC would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the attack or has further information.

Please e-mail:   bicycledream@yahoo.co.uk

UPDATE 04/05/07: THE PSC MEMBER WHO WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE IS NOW MUCH BETTER AND ON A NORMAL WARD

Whilst we still don’t know who is responsible for the attack on the Centre the Bristol police seem unaware that other Palestine Solidarity campaigners have been targeted by the English Defence League.  Last summer there was a series of attacks on PSC stalls in Birmingham and 50 EDL members assaulted protesters at a PSC rally outside the French Embassy in London 2 weeks ago.  There are also recent reports of attacks in other parts of Europe, 2 young women in Berlin, incidents in Stutgard and Switzerland.   There are known to be EDL members in Bristol and it is possible that they are responsible for this vicious and cowardly assault .   It says a lot about the situation in Israel that there most “active” supporters are fascists.

Those of us who protest against war and injustice, in all its forms, know that we take a risk by making a stand.  We have to hope that the police are taking this incident seriously and that the culprits will be brought to justice.