Bristol- Gaza Marks & Spencers solidarity action

by Mr Camera Sat Jan 10, 2009 14:32

A selection of images from the Bristol M&S demo, 10.01.09.

image from protest

image from protest

image from protest

by You knows it Sat Jan 10, 2009 16:08

Anyone know the name of the 'tough' security guard?

Wot are the chances hes on the BNP members list do you reckon?

He should remember not to shit where he sleeps......

by Mell O Sat Jan 10, 2009 16:20

Nice action people!

If the mainstream media is unable or unwilling to tell it like it is, then we have to do it!

Direct action and direct communications with Jane and Joe Public - I love it!

Thanks x

by updater Sat Jan 10, 2009 16:21

prisoner released 30 mins ago

by ranterfada - international solidarity Sat Jan 10, 2009 19:31

The activist arrested for criminal damage (to a check out till, allegedly - how we laughed!) was released without charge after 4 hours in custody. Perhaps something suddenly clicked and they realised the bare faced, cruel and ridiculous irony of the charge when put alongside the real criminal damage being perpetrated by the murderous israeli war machine against the people of Palestine. But probably not.
Let's not stand by and watch the massacre happen. The time to step out of line is now. This action was effective and organised at very short notice by people like you. There are many ways to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, and to take action against the companies that arm or finance the terrorist Israeli state atrocities.

Leaflet handed out on the action today 0.12 Mb

by not a zionist Sat Jan 10, 2009 22:31

"Anyone know the name of the 'tough' security guard?

Wot are the chances hes on the BNP members list do you reckon?"

While I very much support any form of direct action, I very much suspect that many members of the public and staff were wondering much the same thing themselves about the activists, and whether this was an anti-semitic, not an anti-zionist act, because the socialist/anarchist left aren't doing a very good job of making it easy for the general public to tell the two things apart.

While I don't know what was said, I know the kind of loud, crude statements which the left are unfortunately best at, and I imagine there's a few people out tonight telling each other how they had the BNP in their store earlier today...

If that's the impression made, would you want people to support it? or would you be mortified that people mistook you for a fascist group, and were sympathetic? The line between anti-zionism and anti-semitism needs to be carefully walked and vocalised, even while taking more direct action.

by oh dear Sat Jan 10, 2009 23:43

I remember that group N9S, their leaflets were at pains to claim they were anti-zionists, not anti-semites, even though this was clearly a dishonest ruse, but these leaflets you've given out, they don't make any distinction at all, and if i was just a member of joe/jane public, and i'd just watched the latest adaptation of Anne Frank, then i probably would be thinking you were some weird nazi group, because you haven't made any real effort to make people think otherwise.

Sure, if they followed the links they would find out different, but if they already got the wrong impression threy wouldn't do anything other than crunch it up and chuck it away.

You've done some damage to M&S financially, but you may have also cost yourselves dear.

by Leafleteer Sun Jan 11, 2009 00:22

Read the leaflet - we take great pains to show we are only against the Israeli regime, not the people of Israel, or any religious belief.

To say the people looked like, acted like, or sounded like the BNP is absurd and says more about you than us. Shoppers may have been disturbed, or been shocked - if it means they think about whats going on in Gaza, I'm glad.

Look at the kids in the picture and then talk to me about shocking.

by stop the slaughter Sun Jan 11, 2009 00:52

understand caution as to not deliver cross messages, but if you read the leaflet that was handed out, the pdf of which can be found two comments above, it would have been very clear to both staff and passers by that this was an action specifically directed at the inhumane actions of the israeli state, not an attack on jewish people. the line of questioning and thinking only helps zionist propaganda

and to 'oh dear': the co-opted ignorance and defeatist passivity in the face of israeli war crimes displayed by your comment "you may have cost yourselves dear" speaks for itself.

by Outcider Sun Jan 11, 2009 01:59

Couldn't give a crap mate, more worried about whether I'll be able to afford to eat a year from now. If you ask me you need to protest about conditions in everyday life, not some conflict between religious lunatics that's been going on for thousands of years (on and off) and which you have no control over at all.

Still - thanks for reminding me that Marx 'n' Sparx are having a sale! They do have some fine vittles thar!

by dates Sun Jan 11, 2009 07:01

I just ate all my dates just in case....
Pretty daft action really - more activist porn really.
Likely to massage your egos and alienate people from your cause.

by joepublic Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:00

Well done to everyone involved in this action, which i'm sure will continue the pressure on M&S to halt it's links with an Israeli state involved in some horrific policies.
I can see, however, that much of the anger expressed here against M&S could be percieved to be directed at shoppers with no inclination of M&S's Israeli policy. I think it would be prudent of activists to examine this distinction and ensure that as few shoppers are alienated as possible, and instead are brought onboard to a point where they can understand opposing arguements before being alienated.

by leaflet Sun Jan 11, 2009 11:25

“Citizens of Rafah- Due to Hamas using your houses to smuggle and store ammunition, the Israeli Defence Force will attack your homes from Sea Street to the Egyptian border. To the people who live in these areas: Block O, Al Brazil camp, Al Shora area and Qishta area, all homes beyond Sea Street must be evacuated. You have from the time you receive this leaflet until 7.00am the following morning. For you and your children’s safety follow what this leaflet says - The leadership of the Israeli Defence Force”

by Free Speech Sun Jan 11, 2009 13:06

Interesting report worth seeing from CBC.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QJaPZLNLBu8

by not a zionist Sun Jan 11, 2009 13:16

"it would have been very clear to both staff and passers by that this was an action specifically directed at the inhumane actions of the israeli state, not an attack on jewish people"

No, it's not obvious at all, especially to members of the general public who aren't well versed in the differences. Whereas if you'd added the above sentence to the leaflet, or similar, it may well have been more obvious.

by Rosso Verde Sun Jan 11, 2009 14:36

The argument "not a Zionist" is using is I think wrong -totally legit to protest against companies with Israel links. - Not sure if its effective campaigning, bu I'm sure there was no anti semitism in the motives of those who protest.
Supporters of the Israeli regime always bring up anti semitism when people protest or take action against the actions of the Israeli army, we shouldn't be put off by this, but we also should be on our guard against anti semitism, there were a few anti semitic placards on the London Demo according to a few people I have read.

by Not A zionist Sun Jan 11, 2009 15:57

"The argument "not a Zionist" is using is I think wrong -totally legit to protest against companies with Israel links." Rosso Verde

WHAT! What is it with activists adopting knee jerk reactions which don't even tally with what was writted or said!? The very first line I used was, "While I very much support any form of direct action..." So how on earth have you decided I don't think this direct action is legitimate!?

"bu I'm sure there was no anti semitism in the motives of those who protest." Rosso Verde

I NEVER SAID THERE WAS ANY ANTI-SEMITIC MOTIVE!

Look, and to recap, what I've basically said is that the general public generally speaking aren't clear about the difference between anti-zionism and anti-semitism, because the mainstream media certainly don't make the difference clear, so it instead falls to activists to make that difference crystal clear on their publicity, and on their actions.

This is done by adding simple clarifying statements such as...

"This is an attack upon the Israeli State, not the Jewish People"

Hardly a difficult piece of constructive critism to take on board, is it!?

But that's the problem with activism, it is in this defensive rut of not even reading properly what has been written, and jumping into defensive, and inaccurate postures. And in general terms, the only reason i've used the name 'Not A Zionist' because from reading BIM for awhile i've seen how if people don't make clear they aren't a Zionist, the next thing is a screaming accusation of 'Zionism' in response to any criticism, which is actually what the Zionist state does too, shouts people down and accuses them of anti-semitism when faced with any kind of criticism. Two sides of the same dysfunctional coin.

And even though i've called myself 'Not A Zionist' I'm still waiting for the screaming accusation from someone on here that a Zionist is exactly what I am, because it happens on thread after thread, time after time.

PS: And again to 'You Knows It' assuming a security guard is from the BNP stinks. While he may be, who knows, it actually stinks of classism by middle class activists, which is an assumption I'm making true, but only in response to the crass assumptions activists are notorious for making, at the expense of activism generally. He's probably just someone doing his job, on minimum wage, at a time of chronic job insecurity, and is as unclear about the difference between anti-semitism and anti-zionism as the rest of the general public.

AND PROBABLY HASN'T BEEN LEFT ANY THE WISER BY THIS ACTION!

So, i'll wrap up with that thorny old adage...

"The problem with activism is activists!"

by sad about Sun Jan 11, 2009 18:11

in the knee jerk reaction and random anger spouted out following not a zionist's post which made a valid point, the line that really summed it up for me was

'questioning and thinking only helps zionist propaganda'

yes lets all stop questioning and thinking for ourselves and just do as you say. I suppose writing this makes me a zionist too, sorry in future i'll try harder to remember not to think for myself.

by viral Sun Jan 11, 2009 20:27

...hardly - palestinians are semites too

by Triple AAA Mon Jan 12, 2009 00:28

There is an internationalist, class-based, perspective on the current conflict here: http://www.bristolanarchistbookfair.org/?p=58#more-58 that sets out to oppose the nationalists & warmongers on both sides of this conflict.

To quote: "We must be internationalists, opposing the idea that the rulers and ruled within a nation have any interests in common. Therefore, we must reject Palestinian nationalism just as we reject Israeli nationalism (Zionism) and US imperialism. Ethnicity does not grant “rights” to lands, which require the state to enforce them. Therefore, against the divisions and false choices set up by nationalism, we fully support the ordinary inhabitants of Gaza and Israel against state warfare – not because of their nationality, ethnicity, or religion, but simply because they’re real living, feeling, thinking, suffering, struggling human beings."

Intriguingly it seems the comrades at the Bristol Bookfair collective are adapting their website into a blog, which I presume will make anarchist texts available?

by Par boiled Mon Jan 12, 2009 09:29

Well done people.

Looks like you did a good leaflet and an effective action. Good work.

by Dave Mahoney - www.helpdavemahoney.blogspot.com Sat Jan 24, 2009 00:35

This is awesome. Good to see you're keeping yourselves busy. Don't be discouraged by the cops and liberals on this message board. Solidarity means attack!
Pass on my love to all at the spicy disco.

;)

Dave