Voices for Justice: Coventry Rallies in Solidarity with Palestine
A recent protest in Coventry joined a wave of solidarity protests across the UK that support Palestine and show solidarity during the active conflict in Gaza. The event was organized by the Coventry Palestine Solidarity Campaign with people from different cities coming to take part.
The protest that started in front of the Coventry University Students Union building attracted a varied crowd of activists and students and members of the Palestinian community and showed the common discontent over the humanitarian crisis in the region.
PHOTOGRAPHY: BY PEY ENIGBOKAN
Haleemat Ahmed a member of the protest said “We want our voices heard, This isn’t my first protest, nor second, nor third and this will definitely not be the last protest I attend. It breaks my heart that so many people still don’t know what’s going on in Gaza. During this protest you see here alone we have enlightened many curious by standers that have asked us what this protest is for and that’s what we’re here for. Making people aware of everything happening in Gaza.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: BY PEY ENIGBOKAN
Speakers at the protest zeroed in on the devastating toll of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and they called for immediate action to halt the violence. Many people drew attention to how Western governments and the UK support Israeli policies while criticizing the lack of response from major political parties. Attendees strongly felt this sentiment and some of them expressed frustration with Labour leader Keir Starmer’s perceived silence on the issue.
Michael Jones another protestor spoke to us and said” Our Government needs to do more. He said Israel has a right to defend themselves but if that’s the rule here then what about the people of Palestine. I honestly wish more was done. Change has to come.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: BY PEY ENIGBOKAN
Protesters carried banners and flags bearing messages of solidarity that included slogans such as "Free Palestine" and "End Israeli Apartheid," and they created a mood that was both somber and defiant while chanting to concentrate on unity and the right of oppressed communities to resist. Activists from socialist and grassroots organizations actively played an important role by using the platform to advocate for long-term solutions, and they concentrated on promoting a broader anti-imperialist movement while also supporting worker-led initiatives that objective to address the root causes of the conflict.
Several influential people have also called for the prime minister to take further action and denounced the UK government's involvement in the war. An open letter signed by over 2,000 representatives of the UK's arts and culture community demands an immediate end to Israel's blockade and bombing of Gaza.
While the scale of Coventy's demonstration was small compared to major national protests, the meaning lies in reflecting this growing global movement that demands accountability, humanitarian aid, and a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian problem. Organizers said they're building momentum, part of efforts to turn up the volume on their message by continuing to take it public and teaming up with other networks focused on human rights and social justice.
BY: PEY ENIGBOKAN