2nd Rolling picket of companies supporting Israel in Newcastle

Police presence at the Monument was much larger than at previous rallies and there were EG police photographing everyone on the demonstration. There were many speakers, perhaps a few too many, which may have contributed to people leaving before the end. A number of local activists have commented that a passive rally can feel like ‘preaching to the converted’ rather than a protest. However, the content of many speeches was good and their tone defiant. Particularly inspiring were the two Palestinian women who spoke, one who spoke through a translator in Arabic. Many speakers emphasised the history of the occupation and the right to resist occupation. For example, one speaker highlighted the fact that when British troops invade and attack Iraq, or Israeli troops invade and attack Palestine they are portrayed as freedom fighters by western governments and media, but when Iraqi and Palestinian people fight back defending themselves, their families and their homes against the occupation they are labelled as terrorists.

Tyneside Community Action for Refugees (TCAR) used the platform to link the struggle of asylum seekers and refugees in this country with the dispersal of thousands of Palestinian refugees from their homes. TCAR was due to hold a ‘Speak OUT Against Racism’ from 12- 2 but decided to move it earlier to support the Palestine demonstration. (TCAR’s next Speak OUT will be on 28th February and will focus on the detention and deportation of migrants and the privatisation of this industry).

After the rally around 50 protestors set off for another rolling picket of companies that support Israel. Last week the protest started at Lloyds TSB but this time demonstrators headed for shops inside Eldon Square shopping centre. Chants of ‘Free Free Palestine’ and ‘Resistance is justified, when the people are occupied!’ resounded through the shopping centre. Many activists handed out leaflets to explain to shoppers why shops were being picketed. The protestors managed to get up the first flight of escalators before being met by security guards and police. One activist tried to get passed the line of thugs but was dragged out by arms and legs by four security guards. The role played by the police was interesting, using their authority over the security guards to prevent them from physically removing more protesters. Protesters overheard police officers rebuking the security guards for dragging out an activist. It needs to be made clear that this had nothing to do with concern for the well-being of the activist, but in the words of one officer: ‘We don’t wanna agitate them’. Brutality and repression are fine but preferably out of the public eye when protestors are isolated.

About 11 demonstrators managed to get past the first line of security but they met another line of security staff further into the centre. After about 10 minutes and demanding the name and address of the owner of the shopping centre to make a complaintm, demonstrators decided to leave. At this stage the consensus was that arrests didn’t seem worthwhile. Instead, the protesters inside left to join a lively picket outside Marks and Spencer on the main shopping street, which continued until around 4pm. Speeches highlighted the importance of continued pressure on companies that support Israel and also on the British government and chants made the same points, but more bluntly:

‘Boycott M&S! They support Terrorists!’

There is an open Palestine Action Forum on Sunday 25th January, 6-8pm, in Venue, Northumbria University Student’s Union Building, Sandyford Road – to discuss and plan future actions in solidarity with Palestine. Past meetings have been useful in discussing tactics and allowing for a diversity of actions, especially as more direct action such as blocking roads or sit-down protests has been described as too disruptive in PSC meetings and pickets of Marks and Spencer are not officially condoned. However, there is no reason why a diversity of action cannot complement each other. The last open forum agreed that communication between groups was the most important thing so that everyone has choice as to what they attend.

Link to facebook group:
 http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/group.php?gid=43848314379

Tyneside PSC are having an organizing meeting on Monday 26 Jan, 7pm, Muslim Welfare House, 6 North Terrace, Newcastle. A message to their facebook group says “Everyone is welcome - we want a broad-based meeting to discuss what we can do to sustain the momentum and involve as many people as possible in PSC's activities.”

And every Thursday, 6-8pm on Northumberland Street, Newcastle there is a picket of Marks and Spencer, the biggest corporate sponsor of Israel.