Lancaster activists hold silent protest in solidarity with Palestine

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Nearly 100 local activists held a powerful and emotional protest arranged by the Lancaster Palestine Solidarity Campaign on Saturday in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The event, part of a weekly series of demonstrations, featured a 20-minute silence, during which participants stood with gags and tape over their mouths, holding photos of those killed and messages in support of Gaza.

At precisely 1.20pm, the silence was broken by passionate chants, followed by speeches from members of the community.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Activists said the protest aimed to "amplify the voices of Palestinians whose suffering has been ignored and silenced”.

The silent protest in Lancaster on Saturday. Photo by Kathy JamesThe silent protest in Lancaster on Saturday. Photo by Kathy James
The silent protest in Lancaster on Saturday. Photo by Kathy James

“For decades, Palestinian voices have been silenced,” said Fariha Blockley, who broke the silence at the event. “They have killed journalists, musicians, artists and poets, all to keep them silenced.

"Just think about the 20 minutes we have spent in silence. Imagine that silence when children are being starved and when universities and hospitals are being bombed.

“We are here today, like we have been here every week, to say we will no longer be silenced. We will no longer allow the Palestinian voices to be silenced.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The photos held high during the protest of those killed in Gaza served as a stark reminder of the human cost of the tragedy.

The protest in Lancaster on Saturday. Photo by Roshan AdveThe protest in Lancaster on Saturday. Photo by Roshan Adve
The protest in Lancaster on Saturday. Photo by Roshan Adve

The activists hope to raise awareness about the ongoing violence and stand in solidarity with Palestinians who are unable to speak out.

Patrick Montague, founding member of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign Lancaster, said: “This silence represents the world’s failure to act while Palestinians are being killed. We will not remain silent while genocide is happening.

“The importance of these demonstrations only increased since the 1st of October when Israeli troops started attacking civilians in Lebanon.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“These protests are about showing that Lancaster stands with the people of Palestine,” said Heather Kat, a local activist who has been attending the weekly demonstrations.

The weekly demonstrations will continue in Market Square each Saturday at 1pm.

News you can trust since 1837
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice