Socialist Appeal - Report on Edinburgh Gaza Demo

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Report on Edinburgh Gaza Demo

By Rachel Gibbs

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

In light of the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza people in Britain and around the world have come out to demonstrate and show their disgust at the imperialist attacks of the Israeli state and its funding and support from both the UK and the USA. On the 10th of January supporters of Socialist Appeal attended the Palestinian Solidarity demonstration in Edinburgh. Numbers were very encouraging, with around 5,000 people protesting, a remarkable level of attendance for an Edinburgh demonstration. The majority of protestors were young people outraged by the contempt of the Israeli, British and American governments and in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

It was clear the demonstration had provided a focal point for wider discontent in society. While it may not be possible to demonstrate against the crisis of capitalism, the effect it has had on consciousness was clear to see. It was inspiring to see many young workers and students donating to the strike fund for Glasgow community service workers who are currently on indefinite strike action in a pay dispute. Their attendance also made the clear link between the causes of the Palestinian masses and working class people in Britain.

Unfortunately this link was not communicated by the organisers who ran the demonstration under the slogan of ‘boycott Israel’ and the largely content-free, ‘Free, free Palestine’! However Socialist Appeal received a sympathetic response from demonstrators and over 20 journals were sold with hundreds of leaflets being distributed.

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