UK protests today - Bravo Brits

[malaise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7821928.stm
<snip>
Thousands of demonstrators have marched through London to call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.

The protest started peacefully but there were confrontations as police tried to move demonstrators away from the gates of the Israeli embassy.

The windows of a Starbucks was smashed and three police officers were injured as a minority of people threw missiles.

The Metropolitan Police says 20,000 people marched but the BBC estimates the figure could be as high as 50,000.

It is estimated there were several hundred police officers dealing with around 200 protesters outside the embassy.

This group are being allowed to leave the cordon one at a time, some are being identified by police and are being taken away for questioning.

BBC correspondent Robert Hall said given the number of people involved, the protest had been peaceful.

"But as darkness fell a small number of people, several hundred, have begun confronting police and missiles have been thrown," he said.

[midnight]

1. Now this is what I'm talking about-CHANGE!!!

Power to the people-ceasefire now!

[malaise]

2. BBC on line and BBC International are giving way more objective coverage than M$Greedia

Another link -
Another link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7819492.stm
Israel 'shelled civilian shelter'

Israeli forces shelled a house in the Gaza Strip which they had moved around 110 Palestinians into 24 hours earlier, the UN quotes witnesses as saying.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called it "one of the gravest incidents" since the beginning of the offensive.

The shelling at Zeitoun, a south-east suburb of Gaza City, on 5 January killed some 30 people, the report said.

Israel says it has looked into the allegations and they are unfounded.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said no Israeli soldiers had been in the area on the day the incident was supposed to have happened.

The OCHA report said: "According to several testimonies, on 4 January Israeli foot soldiers evacuated approximately 110 Palestinians into a single-residence house in Zeitoun (half of whom were children) warning them to stay indoors.

"Twenty-four hours later, Israeli forces shelled the home repeatedly, killing approximately 30."
---------------------
As Marley sang - "...someone will have to pay for the innocent blood that they shed every day..."

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Yeah! Smash some fucking windows at Starbucks! Take it to THE MAN!

Or, at least, take it to the poor slob who has to sweep up all the broken glass for whatever the minimum wage is, over there.



...Just like the brave warriors who dealt a crushing blow to the Iraq War in San Francisco by setting mailboxes on fire on Market Street. RIGHT ON! :eyes:

Bravo. Right.

[Kaleko]

4. Way to condemn a hundred thousand protesters for the actions of a few.

Sheesh.

Yes, I say Bravo, Brits, for marching in the freezing cold!

[Warren DeMontague]

5. Excuse me, but I was at at least one of those anti-Iraq War protests in San Francisco.

I'm well aware that most of the protesters weren't doing that, and I'm also aware of how the media tends to focus on the actions of the slice of idiots rather than the majority of responsible, peaceful demonstrators.

Still, in my considerable personal experience, there is CLEARLY a smaller group of people who think they're "accomplishing" something by smashing the windows of a Starbucks. Idiots.

[Kaleko]

6. In this case it's you who is focusing on the actions of a small minority

rather than applauding the majority in the spirit of the OP.
Who knows what the people you call "idiots" really are from afar.
Some may be paid agitators who are there to whip up the weaker links in the crowd to further their own agenda.

[4 t 4]

7. I don't remember seeing

this much support for Palestine around the world before. Just an observation-that's all.

[Warren DeMontague]

8. Well, why don't I just let you write my posts for me, then?

Since you clearly have a better idea than I do as to what I ought to be saying.

I kicked this thread, that should be good enough for you.

[Kaleko]

11. Since your hobby is complaining,

as you state in your profile, I'll just say you're doing a good job on this thread.

:hi:

[Warren DeMontague]

15. Damn straight.

Of course, the past 8 years have been some serious fuckin' salad days for us Complaint Hobbyists.

[malaise]

9. Bravo to all who are protesting

There were massive protests in France with people burning flags in the street.
Demonstrations in Australia, Malaysia, etc. In Malaysia they were throwing shoes at Bush.

[malaise]

10. Bravo is for the peaceful protests

not those who broke windows.

[tech3149]

12. "as a minority of people threw missiles."

What sort of missiles need to be thrown? Would that be something less powerful than the backyard rockets launched from Gaza? I can throw stones, launch arrows, or toss anything I can get my hands on. I guess that makes me a prime target for the defensive forces of the USofA, Israel and any other country that wants to suppress opposition.

[ColbertWatcher]

13. This is what I'm wondering, too. n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. And that was on the coldest day in London in 10 years, according to the weather report (nt)