Derry Protests Against Israel's Attacks on Gaza

derry | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Sunday January 04, 2009 19:12

by George Row

A Rally attended by Hundreds of people in Derry Joined World Wide Protests

On Saturday afternoon (3rd January 09) hundreds of people in Derry joined the world wide protests against Israel's attacks on Gaza by attending a protest rally in Guildhall Square. They were addressed by Derry City Councillors from SDLP and Sinn Féin, and by members of DAWC and SWP.

The rally in Derry against Israel's attacks on Gaza being addressed by Councillor Gerry MacLochlainn (Sinn Fein). He called for a Boycott of Israeli goods.

On Saturday afternoon (3rd January 09) hundreds of people in Derry joined the world wide protests against Israel's attacks on Gaza by attending a protest rally in Guildhall Square.

They listened to speeches from a councillor Colum Eastwood (SDLP). Trades Council chairman Kenny McAdams, councillor Gerry MacLochlainn of Sinn Féin, Goretti Horgan of SWP, veteran Civil Rights campaigner and SWP member Eamonn McCann and Suliman a member of DAWC (Derry Anti-War Coalition) from Gaza.

Speaker after speaker called for a complete Boycott of Israeli products and for people to contact their elected representatives and call upon them to denounce Israel's actions.

In his closing remarks Eamonn McCann highlighted the role of the Bush regime, who were using their dying days to support Israel's murder of civilians in Gaza, and of the Raytheon company whose weapons are used by Israel to commit war crimes. He reminded the crowd of the recent court case in which the Raytheon 9 were found innocent of charges after disrupting the Raytheon plant during Israel's attacks on Lebanon. In their defence they had proved, to the satisfaction of the jury, that not only had Israel been committing war crimes in Lebanon but that the Raytheon company was well aware that their weaponry was used for such purposes, and as such were implicated in those crimes.

Jim Collins announced that as the slogan "You Are Now Entering Free Derry" approached its 40th anniversary it would, on Monday at 1:00 pm, be updated with reference to the attacks on Gaza.

The rally in Derry against Israel's attacks on Gaza being addressed by Goretti Horgan (SWP). She re-iterated calls for a Boycott of Israeli goods and called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland.

Suliman from Gaza addressed the rally in Derry against Israel's attacks on Gaza and thanked people for attending.

Banner at the Rally in Derry against Israel's attacks on Gaza: "Raytheon Military technology Made in Derry, MURDERING INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN GAZA & LEBANON. REMOVE Raytheon"

Eamonn McCann making the closing remarks at the rally in Derry (3 Jan 09) against Israel's attacks on Gaza. He highlighted the role of the Bush regime and of the Raytheon weapons manufacturer who have a plant in Derry. He called upon Derry City council