Posts Tagged ‘Westminster Parliament Square Protest’

Support the Tamil protests

The Peace Strike is supporting the Tamil protestors in Parliament Square – see press releases below.

For coverage of the demonstrations:
https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/427063.html

Please join the march tomorrow and show your support:
Saturday 11th April, a march to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Sri Lanka.

For background to the Tamil situation:
http://campacc.org.uk/tamilprotests.htm

Lets show our solidarity

IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
Friday 10 April 2009

TAMILS AND MP PETITION TO BE PRESENTED TO DOWNING STREET:
PETITIONER ARRESTED YESTERDAY

3.30pm, FRIDAY 10 APRIL 2009
A delegation of Tamils will deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street with the Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes in an attempt to get the UK government to intervene in the crisis in Sri Lanka.

Yesterday, a British women who escorted a delegation of Tamil women to Downing Street was arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 which prohibits demonstrations without police authorisation.

Maria Gallastegui was arrested about 7pm last night after she would not leave Downing Street until the delegation had seen a representative of the Government. She was told that no-one was available to see them as there are all on holiday. Ms Gallastegui was held by police overnight and released, without charge, at 12 noon today. She said:

“We went to Downing Street because the situation is an emergency. There are two young men on hunger strike in Parliament Square who are in a critical condition.

“All these people have been outside Parliament for days yet the British Government are on holiday and can not be contacted. There is an emergency below decks that needs to be dealt with but it appears that no-one is even steering the ship.

“We went to our neighbours, the government, to appeal for help for the hundreds of thousands of people in Sri Lanka who are in grave risk, but they are all on holiday. There is clearly no political will to address this issue.”

NOTES
There will be a major demonstration on Saturday 11th April calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Sri Lanka. http://www.gumtree.com/london/09/37280409.html

For background to the Tamil situation:
http://campacc.org.uk/tamilprotests.htm

Hunger striking in the snow

Press: Hunger striker urges action against Israel relationship

Maria in 4th week of hunger strike

“If Israel does not lift the blockade, there is going to be no resolve for peace.”

Maria Gallastegui, who has been on hunger strike for over 3 weeks opposite the Houses of Parliament in London to protest against the situation in Gaza, will protest at the Prime Minister’s door on Tuesday 3 February at 11.30am.

Maria started the hunger strike on the 12 January – the day that MPs and Lords returned to Parliament – and has been taking in only liquids since. There is a large banner opposite Parliament displaying the number of days the hunger strike has continued.

On Tuesday morning, Maria will, for the fourth week since she started the hunger strike, take her demands to 10 Downing Street at the same time as Ministers assemble for the Cabinet meeting. She will personally deliver a petition to the Prime Minister.

As well as demanding an end to arms sales to Israel and that a war crimes tribunal is instigated, Ms Gallastegui will be demanding that the UK government do all that it can to stop the economic blockade of Gaza. She said, “If Israel does not lift the blockade, there is going to be no resolve for peace.”

Maria to take protest to Prime Minister’s door on 16th day of Hunger Strike as Cabinet meets

Come and Support!

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY, 8.30AM, 10 DOWNING STREET, LONDON
Meet from 8am in Parliament Square (next to hunger strike banner)

This Tuesday, Maria Gallastegui will be on the 16th day of her hunger strike opposite the Houses of Parliament protesting against the situation in Gaza. She will be personally taking her demonstration and demands up to 10 Downing Street at 8.30am as Ministers arrive for the Cabinet meeting.

Maria started the hunger strike on the 12 January – the day that MPs and Lords returned to Parliament – and has been taking in only liquids since. There is a large banner opposite Parliament displaying the number of days the hunger strike has continued.

Maria says, “The hunger strike is an act of protest to highlight the unacceptable atrocities perpetrated on the people of Gaza. The Israeli forces have deliberately targeted civilians, have used ‘White Phosphorus’, and are suspected of using depleted uranium, which will have devastating effects for decades to come. As with the attack on Lebanon in 2006, there has been total disregard for human life. The civilians must now struggle to survive in the wreckage. A ceasefire may be in place but we demand an end to the blockade that has made life for people in Gaza so difficult for two years, an end to the sale of arms to Israel by the UK government and that those who committed these war crimes are held responsible and punished.

“We each need to continue to be outraged and to continue to speak out. Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza. Will it be Iran next? For the people of Gaza we bear witness to this great injustice.”

For photos and reports on the hunger strike see http://www.vigilforgaza.net

Watch a short film taken on day 5 of Maria’s hunger strike.