Thousands demonstrate for Gaza

10 January 2009 - SACC

Scotland-wide Demonstration in Edinburgh 10 January 2009
Supported by Stop the War Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh, Pauline McNeil MSP, Sandra White MSP, Muslim Association of Britain, Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign, Lebanese Community Scotland, Scottish Afghan Society, Scottish Islamic Foundation, Scottish Friends of Palestine, Scottish CND , SACC and others

In the spirit of Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, who used his shoes to protest over George Bush's war crimes,demontrators threw old shoes at the US Consulate. Like Muntadar al-Zaidi, they were saying, "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed."

The demonstration ended with a rally in the Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens, Speakers included Kenny Ross (Secretary Scottish Fire Brigades Union), Joy Dunn (on behalf of the STUC General Council), Fatima Helou (Survivor of Sabra and Chatilla), Pauline McNeill MSP (Labour), Sandra White MSP (SNP), John Barrett MP (Liberal Democrat), Henry Maitles (Jews for Justice for Palestine), Aamer Anwar (Human Rights Lawyer), Osama Saeed (Scottish Islamic Foundation), Mick Napier (Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign), Mohammed Asif (Scottish Afghan Society), Keir McKechnie (Scottish Stop the War Coalition), Zahid Ali (Scottish Stop the War Coalition) and two people from Gaza speaking over a phone link.