Gaza protest brings city centre to a halt

Jan 18 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

A CITY centre was brought to a standstill yesterday when more than 200 protesters carried out a series of demonstrations against the continuing Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Demonstrators with Fight Racism Fight Imperialism caused major disruption to shoppers and traffic in Newcastle for more than two hours as they targeted several high-street stores they claim support Israel.

Carrying banners and flags, the group marched from the city’s Monument to the nearby Lloyds TSB bank, Starbucks coffee house and Schuh shoe shop, before taking their protest to Marks & Spencer and McDonalds in Northumberland Street.

Hundreds of shoppers watched as protesters entered each store and either lay down or sat down in front of staff.

On each occasion, police forcibly removed the protesters before forming a barricade outside, stopping them from re-entering.

When they reached the end of Northumberland Street, they sat in the middle of the road, stopping taxis, cars and buses from getting past them, until police officers pulled them out of the path of oncoming traffic.

Photographer John Millard, who followed the two-hour rolling picket said: “They succeeded in bringing Newcastle to a standstill.

“Thousands of people shopping stood to watch what was going on and some were getting really frustrated. When they went into M&S a woman with a megaphone apologised to everyone shopping, saying she really liked the shop but that they should be aware that they support those who are backing this war by stocking stuff made in Israel.”

A spokesman for the organisers said: “These are concrete targets we can apply pressure to in Newcastle and demand they end their support for Israel and the occupation of Palestine and siege on Gaza.”

Acting Inspector Rob Charlton said: “For the most part those participating in today’s protest acted within the pre-agreed parameters for this demonstration.

“However, there were isolated incidents during which protesters went beyond those parameters by entering shops and causing obstructions to staff and customers.”

Meanwhile, on Teesside, more than 2000 protesters marched through the streets of Middlesbrough yesterday to campaign against military activities in Gaza.

The peaceful rally, organised by Teesside Against the War coalition, was held outside the town hall and in neighbouring streets and was part of protests around the world.

Peter Smith, of Teesside Against the War, said: “The march was extremely high-profile and we were surprised at the huge turnout. It was one of the biggest protests to take place in Middlesbrough for decades.”

Representatives from the Interpal charity, Steven Hughes MEP and Frank Cook MP were present, as was former Sunday Sun news editor Yvonne Ridley, held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001.