Caroline Lucas to speak at Gaza demonstration on Saturday

Green MP Caroline Lucas is among the speakers at Saturday's demonstration at 12 noon opposite Downing Street.

Campaigners will demonstrate  against the siege of Gaza and in support of the Freedom Flotilla 2. The demonstration is timed to commemorate the Nakba, the catastrophe which began in 1948 with the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homeland and continues today with Israel’s violent and illegal siege of Gaza.

Speakers at the demonstration will include:

Andy Slaughter, Labour MP for HammersmithBaroness Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion Palestinian musician, Reem KelaniJody McIntyre, journalist and political activist
Jonathan Ledger, General Secretary of NAPO Hugh Lanning, Deputy General Secretary of PCS Simon Dubbins of Unite the Union His Excellency Manuel Hassassian, Palestinian General Delegate to the UKDr Karma Nabulsi, Oxford academic and a former PLO representative
Dave Randall, guitarist, producer and composerDiana Neslen of Jews for Justice for PalestiniansKate Hudson of CND
Lindsey German of Stop the War

The demonstration has been called by

Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)l, Palestinian Forum in Britain.

It is supported by a number of other organisations including Amos Trust, Association of the Palestinian Community in the UK, Communications Workers Union (CWU), Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Friends of Lebanon, Friends of Al-Aqsa, GMB, The Green Party , ICAHD UK, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine, Pax Christi, Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)l, The Russell Tribunal on Palestine, Twinning with Palestine, UNISON, UNITE the Union ,University & College Union (UCU), War on Want, Zaytoun.

Raw Mavi Marmara Footage Smuggled on Memory Card

Lara Lee, a Brazilian film maker who is now resident in the United States was making a documentary on the Mavi Marmara's mission to Gaza. When mobiles and other cameras were confiscated by the Israeli military Lara hid a memory card with footage of the attack under her clothes. She showed over an hours raw footage at the UN on Thursday and released it on the Cultures of Resistance website.  This is an edited 15 minute version.

Warning: this video includes distressing scenes

Israeli Attack on the Mavi Marmara, May 31st 2010 // 15 min. from Cultures of Resistance on Vimeo.

Action on the Gaza Flotilla

 FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS FROM THE MAVI MARMARA

A public rally to hear first-hand what actually happened aboard the Mavi Marmara  is being held tomorrow.The meeting will feature several activists from the Gaza flotilla along with other speakers. 7pm on Wednesday 9th June in Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London

Called by PSC and Viva Palestina with Trade Unions and other support

SIGN PETITION

Following Israel's attack on the Gaza aid flotilla, Avaaz.org has launched a global petition calling for an immediate, international investigation into the flotilla assault, full accountability for those responsible, and the lifting of the Gaza blockade. Please sign and circulate it. “investigate the raid, end the blockade”

Petition HERE

LOBBY YOUR MP

Please ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 127 - Israel and the Gaza flotilla.

The motion, which has cross-party sponsorship, condemns Israel's attack on the aid convoy, supports the UN's call for an independent enquiry, and demands an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza.

 

Follow this link http://www.psc.iparl.com/lobby/50 to use PSC's  lobby tool, which takes less than two minutes

Jewish Boat Sailing Soon for Gaza

In a harbour in the Mediterranean (we're not yet disclosing which one) a small vessel is waiting for a special mission. She will be sailing to Gaza. In order to avoid sabotage, the exact date and name of the port of departure will be announced only shortly before her launch.

"Our purpose is to call an end to the siege of Gaza, to this illegal collective punishment of the whole civilian population. Our boat is small, so our donations can only be symbolic: we are taking school bags, filled with donations from German school children, musical instruments and art materials. For the medical services we are taking essential medicines and small medical equipment, and for the fishermen we are taking nets and tackle. We are liaising with the medical, educational and mental health services in Gaza..

''In attacking the Freedom Flotilla, Israel has once again demonstrated to the world a heinous brutality. But I know that there are very many Israelis who compassionately and bravely campaign for a just peace. As broadcasting journalists from mainstream television programmes are accompanying our boat, Israel will have a great chance to show the world that there is another way, a way of courage not fear, a way of hope not hate'', says Edith Lutz, one of the organizers and passenger on the ''Jewish boat''.

The ''Jüdische Stimme'' (Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Near East), along with her friends of EJJP (European Jews for a Just Peace in the Near East) and Jews for Justice For Palestinians (UK) are sending a call to the leaders of the world to help Israel find her way back to reason, a sense of humanity and a life without fear. ''Jewish Voices'' expects the political leaders of Israel and the world to guarantee a safe passage for the small vessel to Gaza, thus helping to form a bridge towards peace.

Contacts:

Edith Lutz, EJJP-Germany  +15204519740

Kate Leiterer, EJJP- Germany  +1629660472472

Glyn Secker, Jews for Justice For Palestinians (UK) 

Sarah Colborne's account of Flotilla Attack

Sarah Colborne of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign spoke at the 'War and Peace in the Middle East' meeting at Willesden Green Library during the election campaign.  This is her account of the Israeli attack on the Gaza Aid Flotilla. There is an emergency demonstration on Saturday 5th June starting at 1.30pm in Downing Street.

Gaza Protest: from Downing Street to the Israeli Embassy

The emergency demonstration at Downing Street yesterday, arranged at very short notice, was well attended. There were many Green Party activists present.