Sunday 18 January 2009

150 Bathonians demand Israeli ceasefire







Saturday the 17th of Jan saw over 150 people respond to a call by Bath Activist Network for an emergency 'Israel out of Gaza' protest. Starting at Bath Abbey, the protest moved of past Guildhall, before moving down Milsom street. During the demo, activists stopped at 3 corporate baddies who have been financially supporting Israeli war crimes. First came Starbucks, whose CEO, Joe Shultz has been given awards by the Israeli government for his financial supporg and also 'creating close ties between Israel and America (e.g ensuring more funding from the USA). Although activists did not blockade the store, it was effectivley shut by weight of numbers. Our next target was Lloyds TSB who have recently cancelled the bank account of InterPal, a charity set up to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees. Activists entered the bank and leafletted customers and employees before inviting the manager out for a discussion. She refused, so talk turned to going in and talking to her, at which point Lloyds decided to lock their doors and close shop! From there, the protest moved through town and held a livley demo outside M&S, Israels biggest corporate partner in the UK, and a company who gets much of its veg for illegally occupied Palestinan land. The demo was a huge success and was loud colourful and angry throughout. The public were overwhelmingly supportive (aside from a few isolated voices). As the chants of 'Free, free Palestine' and 'occupation is a crime, Israel out of Palestine' rang through the streets of Bath, tens of thousands of others were doing the same in dozens of towns and cities accross the UK. If the attacks continue until next saturday, another demo is planned, starting at 12.30 at Abbey Courtyard. Bath Stop the war coalition also hold a weekly peace vigil from 11.30 to 12.30 outsde the Abbey every Saturday. Palestine needs our support, and on Saturday, Bath showed that we were not willing to let the Israeli genocide go unopposed.

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Israel out of Gaza! - Bath protest this Saturday! (17/1/09)


As the ground incursion in Gaza intensifies, our resistance must invrease as well. Bath has held several vigils for Palestine, but this Saturday will see the first protest march - and who knows, there might be a few suprises in store for some corporate baddies.
On Saturday 17th of January, Bath Activist Network, Bath Stop the War Coalition and other groups will be joining together to demonstrate against the continued Israeli assault on Gaza. The emergency demonstration will begin at Abbey Courtyard at 12.30 before moving through Bath city centre. Since the Israeli assault began nearly three weeks ago, nearly 1,000 Palestinians, over one third of them children, have been killed, over 3,000 wounded and tens of thousands displaced. In the last five years, 5,000 Palestinians have lost their lives to Israeli attacks. The protest in Bath will be one of dozens happening across the UK. Bristol recently saw a 500-strong protest, London has seen nightly demos, with two numbering 50,000 and 75,000, and Frome recently had a 35-strong march. We hope to be joined by anti-war groups, faith groups and locals concerned at the ongoing genocide waged by Israel against the Palestinian people. In addition to the protest, we hope to encourage people to boycott companies directly involved in financing the Israeli government and the associated war crimes. If you can make it along, or if you have any queries, please email us at bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk. Please spread info about this demo as widely as possible - lets make it impressive!See y'all there!

Monday 5 January 2009

BANners join in Palestine Solidarity actions

  As the Israeli war machine continues relentless bombardment of the Gaza strip, the world has risen up in solidarity with the Palestinian people. On Saturday, BAN members started the day supporting the Bath peace vigil which numbered around 25 people. The vigil takes place outside Bath Abbey from 11.30 to 12.30 every Saturday and highlights a number of anti-militarist issues, saturdays issue being Israels imperialist and genocidal assault on Gaza
   From there, we moved on to Bristol to join a lively 400 strong solidarity demonstration. At the same time as the Bristol Demo, activists smashed the windows of Boeings Bristol offices (Boeing supply planes and components to the Israeli military) and solidarity demos happened in hundreds of cities across the world, with at least 20 in the UK. The London demo attracted 75,000 activists and concluded with a spontaneous march on the Israeli embassy and a mini-riot after the cops launched an unprovoked attack on a peaceful section of the march, seriously injuring many activists, including kids. 
   A further demo in London is being planned for next Saturday - for info on tickets and travel, or to get involved in anti-militarist activism in Bath contact bathactivistnet@yahoo.co.uk