Indymedia Birmingham, UK | Birmingham Gaza Demo Takes to the Streets

Birmingham Gaza Demo Takes to the Streets

Stalingrad O'Neill | 12.01.2009 19:38 | Palestine | Policing | Birmingham

On Friday 9th January there was a rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza outside Birmingham Council House in Victoria Square.

Section of the crowd 'listening' to speeches outside the council house

More of the crowd

Some younger supporters

Candle lit Vigil for Gaza

Protesters making their anger at the Gaza slaughter felt

Cops try to head off street protest

Cops surround protestors in a 'kettle' on Temple Street West

A group of between 50 and 60 protesters broke off at the end of the rally and headed towards New Street. They marched chanting 'Free Gaza' down New Street and then turned off up Bennett's Hill where the cops tried to head them off at Temple Row West by St. Philips Cathedral. A further group of police came from behind and surrounded the protesters from all sides in what's known as a 'kettle' .They held them for around 10 minutes and then released them in groups of about 5-10. The demonstrators regrouped still chanting and headed towards the bottom of New Street and continued their protest up the High Street and onto Bull Street. Around a dozen police headed them off and the march broke up into smaller groups and then dissipated into the cold night air. A Birmingham citizen asked me what was going on and I explained it was the remnants of a larger Gaza solidarity demo. He then said, 'It can't be much harm then, the police don't look too bothered'.

Photos copyright Stalingrad O'Neill - permission is required for third party usage

Stalingrad O'Neill

e-mail: robograd@tiscali.co.uk

Additions

Another brick in the wall

12.01.2009 22:04

Councillor Salma Yaqoob in her best school maam voice implored people to leave the rally peacefully, but as you can see we ignored her and took to the streets!

Whose Streets?

Our Streets!

We don't need no education!

Kollektives

Indymedia Birmingham

Birmingham Gaza Demo Takes to the Streets

Additions

Another brick in the wall

Links

Kollektives

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