Hundreds join protest against Gaza violence
'stop the war': More than 500 people marched through Nottingham at the weekendin protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza.
They walked from the Forest Recreation Ground into the city centre before attending a rally in Old Market Square.
Speakers called for "an end to Israeli occupation" as protestors stood on the Brian Clough statue and chanted "free, free, Palestine - we will not let you die."
Nottingham Stop the War Coalition co-ordinator, John Shemeld, said: "I'm very pleased with the turnout, it's one of the biggest marches we have run.
There is a great sense of solidarity, andit shows people in Nottingham across the whole community have been watching the television and have come on the streets to do their bit."
Coun Zahoor Mir said he thought the amount of support from people in Nottingham had grown as the crisis continued.
"Young people have been becoming politicised," he said. "Support has been growing, particularly from the young people."
The protest follows a vigil in Market Square on Friday in memory of Israeli and Palestinian people killed in the conflict.
Sobia Khan said: "We must make sure the message does not go away and that no one forgets."
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by David, Nottingham
Monday, January 19 2009, 8:58PM
“There are some really narrow minded, ill informed and stupid comments here from people who should look beyond what is presented to them as the 'truth' by US and Israeli influenced media.
My wife and I were at the rally and march on saturday and we are not muslim and not 'unwashed yobs'. We just wanted to show solidarity with a people who have suffered relentless attacks and what can only be described as genocide at the hand of the state of Israel and Zionist political and military manouvres.
Our fellow protesters were of many colours and religions and none of them were terrorists. The speeches and shouts of protest were not based on religious hatred or intolerance but despair at the barbaric persecution of the Palestinian people at the hands of Israel. I only heard one anti-Jewish remark at the rally and that person was immediately shouted down by others and reminded that the problem is one of politics, not religion.
Israel has created a prison in Gaza and controls the impoverished lives of this most densely populated place to an alarming extent. Palestinian people are walled in, their movements controlled by checkpoints, their water and food rationed and their loved ones subjected to daily humiliation or random arbitrary shootings.
Remember please that whatever you think of the beliefs of Hamas they are a democratically elected political party, not a terrorist organisation. It is Israel that has illegally siezed land that does not belong to them, burned and bombed property and has just invaded and occupied Gaza with the apparent intention of killing as many people as possible. This is ethnic cleansing! But if you take your news information only from right wing press or the disney channel then you probably haven't noticed.
Wake up please bigots and take a look at the facts.
On the one side we have an oppressed people, in poverty in their own land, flinging pathetic home made bombs over a wall at their tormentorsand suffering 1300 deaths and 6000 injuries. They arelabelled 'terrorists'.
On the other side we have the massive army of a rich powerful state that wants more land, in an area of strategic importance for the control of dwindling fuel reserves, and armed to the teeth by their powerful allies. They have 13 dead, mostly killed by friendly fire. And they are in the right, are they? Wake up!”
by Dave, Nottingham
Monday, January 19 2009, 12:43PM
“Hey, would just like to re-iterate that the speakers of this protest weren't pro-Hamas, and were for peace for both countries not just the Palestinians. This protest was all about working towards a peaceful two state solution, and I think it's kind of sad that as soon as people see the word 'mosque' or 'Muslim' they automatically think "extremists!" and start frothing at the mouth.
-Dave (apparently an unwashed rent a mob who desecrated the Holy Cloughie and wants to eat Israeli babies!)”
by marian, Nottingham
Sunday, January 18 2009, 10:32PM
“Interesting debate...anyway, they've stopped slaughtering each other ...for now.....maybe all that praying and demonstrating worked...now it needs to be followed up....”
by Steve, Notts
Sunday, January 18 2009, 9:30PM
“I'v already done that thanks and rejected it”
by reader, nottingham
Sunday, January 18 2009, 9:26PM
“Stephen,
For you to believe, you need to question.”