Hundreds from Muslim community and supporters march in Bristol for Gaza

by Well meaning criticiser Sat Jan 10, 2009 20:23

I was on the march and it was good, especially all the people from the mosques, as you could tell it was a bigger thing for them. For a lot of people there (including me) it was one of a number of marches, for various causes, that they'd been part of in the last few years.

I just get frustrated at the lack of effectiveness of a march. Today people went into Marks and Spencer and filled trolleys with shopping, then abandoned them in the shop. They then made it clear why they were doing it, handing out leaflets they'd made themselves, and holding a banner they'd knocked up out of a bedsheet.

They caused a direct cost to a direct funder of the right-wing Israeli regime. Bristol Council are completely powerless to do anything, even if they wanted to, about the atrocities being committed on Gazan civilians. They can't even pressure Gordon Brown's government, let alone Ehud Olmert's. So why march to the council house? Why make demands of those who have nothing to give?

I would love to see more of the attitude of the Marks and Spencer protesters. This was only a small irritation to Marks and Spencer, maybe costing them a couple of hundred pounds in lost revenue caused by the delays at the tills. Now imagine if the hundreds of people on the march did the same at different times and places, as groups of friends. Just filling up a trolley or basket, going up to the till, and politely saying 'I will not buy these goods as you support the murderous Israeli regime", smile at the person working at the till, and walk away.

Marks and Spencer do hundreds of millions of pounds of trade with the Israeli regime every year, paying duties that directly fund the Israeli war machine. They are also in a shaky financial situation, having lost out heavily to the budget supermarkets and Waitrose.

A sustained campaign against them would SERIOIUSLY affect their image, profits and would cause the company to lose money it can't afford to lose. Disrupting their day-to-day running, by whatever method we individually chose, also costs them money in lost revenue.

The two combined would make a demand that Marks and Spencer COULD NOT ignore. They would either pressure the Israeli regime to change policy on Gaza by threatening to move production out of Israel, sever all links with the Israeli Regime, or face the prospect of going out of business.

I hope people will not take offence to my criticism of the march, and consider what i have said.

by not a zionist Sat Jan 10, 2009 22:24

Direct Action at M&S should be careful not to simply look anti-jewish, because most people, including cashiers, probably aren't that versed in the nuances of these issues, and the chances are any sustained campaign against M&S with people just blundering in, making loud, crude statements, would make them difficult to differeniate from the any crude fascist grouping.

This to is meant as well meaning criticism, but i very much doubt it will be taken on board, and the thin, but crucial, line between anti-zionism and anti-semitism, isn't i'm afraid something I have very much faith at all in the socialist/anarchist left being careful to walk while conducting any campaign, whether it be direct action, or demonstrations.

by Leafleteer Sun Jan 11, 2009 00:28

Comment no.1 - well said.

'Not a zionist' - look at my answer to your comment under the M&S action thread, and also look at the flyer.

We are only against the Israeli regime, the right wing ruling elite that pose as many problems for Israeli's as everyone else. If you can't tell the difference between the regime and the people, then you're guilty of exactly what you're accusing us of.

by Chris - none Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:35

Notice the women have to keep in a different area from the men. I wonder when these Muslims will be marching against gay people being executed by Iran or how many of them condemn the sustained rocket attacks of Hamas (funded by Iran)?
Israel is a democracy surrounded on all sides by these bigots who wish to see it exterminated. I wonder if the organizers will condemn that? I wont be holding my breath...

by will brown Sun Jan 11, 2009 15:02 will485 at btinternet dot com

Here's a very brief video of the bristol mosques march

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bjDbdn6qgig

by Ed Hill Mon Jan 12, 2009 14:43

Vigils

EVERY Weekday 5.00-6.00pm and Saturday 3.00-4.00pm on the “Centre” (opp Hippodrome). Plus Easton vigil 5-6pm Thursdays. Why not start your own local vigil?

Tuesday 13th January – Support Cllr Abdul Malik.
He is the ONLY elected representative in Bristol to have spoken in support of Gaza so far!
Vigil on ramp outside Council House 1-2pm
Vital we get a good turn out for this news-worthy event.
We will be presenting a statement to the full Council meeting at 2pm.

Followed by
Daily vigil on the Centre 5-6pm
then
Bristol PSC goes to see film and leaflet at “Waltzing with Bashir” 8pm CUBE, off Kings Square.

Wednesday 14th January – 6.30 – 9.00pm Bristol University Students Union Winston Theatre.
Film and discussion on Gaza. Facilitated by Ed Hill. Organised by University Islamic Society.

Thursday 15th January - Raytheon Rooftop Protest against Bristol’s arms industry. TRANSPORT meet 2.30pm top of Picton Street, off Stokes Croft. FFI http://bristol.indymedia.org
Also
Regular Easton Vigil 5-6pm Junction Robertson & Stapleton Road
Followed by
8.30-10.00pm Chance to watch Ed Hill’s Olive Harvest film on Press-TV at Plough Pub, Kilburn St, Easton.
Friday 16th January – 2.30pm Protest at Lloyds Bank, Corn Street, who’ve frozen banking services from Muslim charity groups trying to send donations to Gaza.

Saturday 17th January Stall and collection in Broadmead – meet at 2pm by Tesco Metro (opposite Odeon).
Also
Saturday 17th January - Raytheon Rooftop Protest against Bristol’s arms industry. TRANSPORT meet 12.30pm top of Picton Street, off Stokes Croft. FFI http://bristol.indymedia.org
Also
Regular Saturday vigil 3-4.00pm on the Centre

by Ed Hill Mon Jan 12, 2009 15:53

I incorrectly reported that
Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East, and
Cllr Peter Hammons, Deputy Leader of the Labour group on Bristol City Council
spoke at the rally.

This was an error.

They did come to the rally,
they were invited to speak,
but then made an excuse and left.

Thus todate, Cllr Abdul Malik is the ONLY elected representative in our city to have spoken out against the massacre of Gaza.

We are witnessing one of the greatest acts of state mass murder in history.

Why are the rest so silent????????

by Nick Foster - Green Party Fri Jan 16, 2009 11:40

http://charlie-boltons-southville-blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/greens-and-gaza.html

Here's Green Councillor Charlie Bolton on the Situation