The protest, which was called by the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), was one of a number organized over the past week in cities in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere. Immigrant workers and their families have mobilized for these actions, helping to give them a militant pro-Palestinian stance.

Working people from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and North Africa were prominent at the London protest. They came from a number of different cities. Militant correspondents taking part noted buses from Glasgow--which reportedly brought 600 people--Birmingham, Sheffield, and Leicester.

Many protesters held hand-printed placards. A group of men carried a mock coffin with a sign attached that read, "Victims of UK-U.S. aid to Israel."

Speakers at the rally included an MAB representative, the former Labour Party member of parliament (MP) Anthony Benn, current Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, and Michel Massih, chairman of the Palestinian community in the United Kingdom. Palestinian youth draped Nelson's Column, an historical monument to British imperialism, in Palestinian flags and led chants of "Down, down Israel" after each speaker.

"This demonstration reflects the fact that right across the religious divide there is widespread support for the Palestinian cause," said Massih, referring to the participation of Christians, Muslims, and Jews.

On the same day some 20,000 people demonstrated in Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and other German cities, demanding "an end to Israeli state terror."  
 
'We are all Palestinians'
On April 10 a similar number gathered outside the Greek parliament in the central square of Athens for a Palestinian solidarity rally and benefit concert sponsored by the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's main trade union federation.

The previous Saturday some 50,000 people had marched in 15 French cities to oppose the Israeli occupation. The nationwide mobilization was called by a coalition of 50 organizations, including solidarity groups, trade unions, and parties with links to the working class. The governing Socialist Party did not endorse the action.

More than 30,000 people turned out in Paris, carrying placards such as "Sharon, you're finished, the intifada will continue," and "We are all Palestinians." The Association of North African Workers in France and the Union of French Jews for Peace, both of which had sponsored the action, were represented by large contingents in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg.  
 
U.S. demonstrations
Supporters of the Palestinian struggle in New York have continued to mobilize. In the largest action to date, some 8,000 people gathered April 12 in Times Square in Manhattan chanting, "End U.S. aid to Israel." The protest had been energetically promoted at local mosques.

An Algerian immigrant told Militant reporters that as a child he had supported the national independence war. "The French would say that we were terrorists because we would blow up their cafes," he said. "We would say, 'give us your guns and tanks so we can fight you, and we won't blow up your cafes any more.' So I know that the Palestinians are not terrorists."

Souphe Widdi, one of three Palestinian students from Fort Hamilton High School who participated in the action, told the Militant that politicians and the media "keep focusing on suicide bombers when sewers are being turned into mass graves for Palestinians. I'm in touch with my family in Ramallah. They have seen the graves and heard the bombs. They have a shortage of food, water, and are without electricity."

Many participants took leaflets advertising two upcoming protests in Washington. At 11:00 a.m. on April 20 people will gather at the Ellipse, south side of the White House, under the banner, "All Out for Palestine!" The protest will demand an end to all U.S. aid to the Israeli regime. Mosques and other organizations are organizing buses from New York.

Two days later Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, on a visit to Washington, and U.S. president George Bush will address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee at the Washington Hilton. Al-Awda and other organizations have called a protest outside the venue for 5:30 p.m.

Jonathan Silberman in London, Georges Mehrabian in Athens, Claude Bleton in Paris, and Laura Anderson in New York contributed to this article.
 
 
Related articles:
Palestinians resist U.S. blackmail
Palestinian activist describes daily protests inside Israel  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home