Civil Rights veterans protest against the 'criminalisation' of pro-Palestine protest

Members of the Global Movement for Gaza Ireland will join Derry - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and others "protesting against the genocide in Gaza and the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act".

The 'Defend the Right to Protest' rally will take place at 3.00pm on Saturday, August 9, in Derry's Guildhall Square. It is one of several being held in Ireland and Britain protesting the "criminalisation" of pro-Palestine protest.

A spokesperson for Derry IPSC said: “As people in Gaza are being starved, the Labour government continues to arm Israel, criminalising those who are trying to stop the genocide. This city has a proud record of non violent direct action against arms companies whose weapons are used in Israeli war crimes. So we could not stand by and see others imprisoned for similar actions.

“Several of the Derry protesters who have defied the ban on expressing support for Palestine Action were amongst the 23 people who were charged over action at Raytheon’s Springtown facility with the same kind of  offences as the Filton 23, who are being held in custody awaiting trial in England.

“It’s fitting that the nationwide protest is being held on August 9, the anniversary of the introduction of internment in 1971.  While internment officially ended, for over 30 years we’ve had what the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) in Belfast and the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva have described as 'internment by remand'.

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"That misuse of remand is now being used against pro-Palestine protesters in England. So too the early morning raids of family homes, all too familiar in working class parts of Derry, are now happening to the families of Palestinian solidarity activists across the water," said the Derry IPSC spokesperson.

“At least 500 people will gather in London holding signs in support of Palestine Action, an action which (in theory) could attract a six month prison sentence.  There will be similar protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff," added the Derry IPSC spokesperson.

"We hope to have 50-100 people in Guildhall Square at 3.00pm this Saturday.

"A genocide is underway in Gaza. The world is crying out for it to end. We cannot let them outlaw nonviolent direct action as a form of protest.”