Protests are erupting around the world against Israel’s genocidal bombing, invasion and siege of Gaza which intensifies daily. In cities throughout Scotland, tens of thousands have joined protests, mainly coordinated by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign and several religious and community organisations. FRFI supporters have been active in Glasgow and Dundee.
On 14 October, Glasgow FRFI joined thousands rallying at Buchanan Galleries in the city centre before marching to the BBC headquarters to callout the British imperialist media for silencing Gaza and covering up for war crimes. On 21 October, another huge rally sent echoes through the city centre with chants of ‘free, free Palestine’ before marching around town to George Square where it gathered outside the Glasgow City Chambers. On 28 October, the demonstration started in George Square and then marched through the shopping area, stopping briefly at Marks & Spencer to protest their historic and ongoing corporate support for the Zionist state. Back in George Square, youth scaled the walls of the Council Chambers and used FRFI’s open mic to demand that the city council fly the Palestinian flag, that it scraps its shameful adoption of the slanderous IHRA definition of antisemitism (here) and that it stops using the Israeli surveillance CCTV system which operates in the city centre. See footage of the protests here and here. On 4 November, 2pm, we will be joining the rally at the BBC Scotland offices, Pacific Quay, before marching to Thales arms company in Linthouse (next to the hospital). Thales supplies Israel with drones.
Hundreds have already signed our petitions demanding an end to British weapons sales to Israel. At each protest we have held an open mic and invited everyone to speak, especially the youth and the angry, those excluded from the respectable platforms of stage-managed protests designed to dissipate anger and maintain a respectable character. The official platforms are lined up with politicians, trade unionists and religious representatives. Despite a long and proud history of support for the Palestinian national liberation struggle, FRFI activists are not invited onto those platforms. We bring an uncompromising message of opposing British imperialism, including the Labour Party which has a long history of supporting Zionism, and of support for national liberation struggles.
There is great potential in the movement today mobilising on the streets to protest Israel’s barbaric assault on Palestinians. However, to sustain progress the movement must make the link between Zionism and British imperialism, and it must be open and democratic, without endlessly compromising to the right, to the respectability demanded by the establishment. From Glasgow to Gaza – victory to the intifada!
Find us on the next protest, contact us to get involved.
Don’t just get angry, get active!
Glasgow FRFI
