Stop Genocide banner drop and rally 15th March

Banner drop at the bridge over Sheaf Street between Park Hill and Ponds Forge. Very encouraging to hear the constant support from passing motorists.

Later there was a rally outside the station. Here is Stephanie Hewett reading her poem, What about October 7th

“What about October the 7th?” 

By Stephanie Hewitt 

History did not start, 

On the 7th of October. 

Over a century of vital context, 

Leaders and media gloss over. 

With no mention of British colonialism, 

Or the Balfour Declaration. 

No talk of Britain’s active role, 

Throughout all the terrorisation. 

Tell us about the Nakba, 

In 1948. 

15,000 Palestinians slaughtered, 

In the name of Israel state.

The number of refugees, 

Reached 750,000 at this time. 

To this day, still refused the right of return,

This is an international war crime.

BBC what about 1967, 

The start of the ongoing occupation. 

Innocents held hostage in Gaza, 

Subject to horrific dehumanisation. 

Tell us about the carpet bombing,

Also know as “mowing the grass”, 

Tell us how UK weapons, 

Surveil, shoot and blast.

Tell us about the products we buy, 

That bleed over our hands, 

Tell us this is not self-defence, 

Genocide was always planned. 

Now let me bring your attention, 

To 2022. 

Here’s a young child who’s terrified, 

Tanks point at him as he walks to school. 

He throws a small stone in protest, 

The way he’s then snatched is beyond cruel. 

If he’s given a trial, 

For 20 years he’ll be put away. 

But they chose not to try him, 

He’s been held captive indefinitely. 

In last November’s news, 

A “prisoner” this child was named. 

This language infers guilt and those reporters should be ashamed. 

History did not begin, 

October 7th twenty three, 

And if Israel is the victim, 

Can you please explain to me, 

Why they paid 7 million dollars,

For one advert on TV,

To air as they bombed a safe zone, 

Simultaneously. 

Those massacred in this genocide, 

Now exceeds 30,000 civilians. 

Over 40% of those murdered, 

Have been neonates, babies, children. 

War crime after war crime, 

Hospitals, schools, journalists targeted. 

This is collective punishment. 

Innocent civilians are being martyred. 

Dearest Palestine, 

Your babies are our babies too, 

Let us make it crystal clear, 

We stand firmly beside you. 

Our eyes remain wide open, 

The truth we hear and see. 

And we will not stop screaming, 

Until Palestine is free. 

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Later in the video listen to Annie O’Gara explain the success we have had with Aldi, who have removed the dates grown on stolen Palestinian land from their shelves following our visit.