Tens of thousands of protesters are due to voice their anger at the Gaza bombing blitz in a series of rallies across the UK.
Up to 20,000 people – including the singer Annie Lennox and Respect MP George Galloway – are expected to march along the Embankment in London before walking to Trafalgar Square to call for an immediate end to the Israeli attacks.
The demonstration is the biggest of at least 18 organised across the country.
Former model Bianca Jagger and singer Lennox have backed the protests, calling on American President-elect Barack Obama to speak up against the bombardment.
Other rallies will take place at Blytheswood Square, Glasgow; Bedford Square, Exeter; Princes Street, Edinburgh; Bristol city centre; Bold Street, Liverpool; Norwich Forum; Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square; Queen Victoria Square, Hull; Tunbridge Wells town centre; Leeds Art Gallery; All Saints Park, Manchester; Grey’s Monument, Newcastle; Castle Square, Swansea; St Sampson’s Square, York; Morrisons, Caernarfon; Bradford city centre; and Sheffield town hall.
Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone and comedian Alexei Sayle also added their support to the campaign to end the violence.
Speaking at a press conference in central London, Ms Jagger said: “I would like to make an appeal to President-elect Obama to speak up.
“People throughout the world were hopeful when he was elected and we must appeal to him to ask for the immediate cessation of the bombardment of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.”
Lennox spoke of her shock at watching scenes of the bombing on television. She said: “A few days after Christmas I came downstairs, put the television on, and saw smoke pyres coming from buildings and I was shocked to the core because I was thinking as a mother and as a human being.”
Comedian Sayle said he was speaking out because it was important for Jewish voices to be heard. He said: “I want to feel proud of Israel, I want to be proud of my people but I am ashamed.”
Peace and Justice Post 
Swiss vote to ban minarets is an attack on basic freedoms
December 5, 2009It has come off the back of the electoral growth of the far-right in Switzerland.
If this had been a similar ban on synagogues or church spires, it would have been met with revulsion.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has its headquarters in Switzerland.
How can it represent all the world’s sporting nations after this insult to the quarter of the world’s population who are Muslim?
Sports people around the world should be demanding that the IOC relocate to a country where all religions are respected.
Those who argue that this was a vote about secularism are deluding themselves – or seeking to delude others.
Supporters of the Yes vote produced propaganda showing white sheep, representing the Swiss, kicking a black sheep out of the country.
The far-right made gains in Europe in the first half of the last century by demonising and attacking Jewish people and the symbols of their religion.
Across Europe we are seeing intimidation and attacks against Muslims and others by emboldened fascists who are using Islamophobia to grow.
In Britain Nick Griffin was given a national TV appearance on Question Time to promote prejudice against Muslims.
Attacks on Islam are the battering ram of the BNP’s racism.
People should be free to practise whatever religion they want as long as they allow others the same.
This is why last month saw the launch of a new coalition, One Society Many Cultures, at a meeting in Parliament.
Defence of the rights of those most under attack from the far-right is a duty for all those who want to see the BNP defeated.
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Tags:extreme rightists, Islamophobia, Ken Livingstone, minarets, Muslims under attack, Switzerland
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