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Newcastle Rally 03_01_2008: Sunday Sun Report
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http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/news/north-east-news/2009/01/04/gaza-raids-spark-anger-on-north-streets-79310-22600607/Gaza raids spark anger on North streets
Jan 4 2009 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun
THOUSANDS took to the streets yesterday to protest against Israeli military action in Gaza.
Demonstrations in Newcastle and York were among 18 across the country.
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Grey’s Monument, Newcastle to show support for the Palestinians.
Supporters, including children, waved flags and banners during the event, organised by the protest group Fight Racism Fight Imperialism North East.
A spokesman said: “The initiative has come from Palestinians living in Newcastle. Let’s make this just the beginning of a renewed wave of resistance on the streets of Britain. In Palestine there has been talk of a third intifada. We have a duty living in a heartland of imperialism to also play our role.”
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said the official attendance figure was 150.
She said: “There were no arrests and it went off peacefully.”
A protest in York at the city’s St Sampson’s Square was followed by a march.
The London protest was supported by singer Annie Lennox and Bianca Jagger.
Police put the numbers at Trafalgar Square at 5000 to 6000 but organisers said that figure was a gross underestimate. Ms Lennox, formerly part of Eurythmics with her ex-partner Dave Stewart, of Sunderland, called for a ceasefire.
She said: “I’m here today as a mother, not as a politician. I’m not pro anybody, I’m here for human rights. We are looking at a huge human rights tragedy in front of us. The idea of an air assault combined with a ground war in such a tightly packed area as Gaza is unimaginable.
“There are 2000 people injured already. It will be a bloodbath.
“The turnout today is absolutely incredible . . . it shows that so many people really care about the issue. Hopefully, now, we will see dialogue, dialogue, dialogue.”
She said President George Bush, who has described Hamas’s rocket attacks as an act of terror, was not helping the situation.
