National action against Caterpillar 16.4.05 Birmingham
Bert Gedin | 19.04.2005 11:42 | Anti-militarism | Social Struggles | Birmingham
The national action against Caterpillar, which consisted of a protest motorcade past Caterpillar finance in Solihull and a rally in Birmingham city centre, was supported by national PSC (Palestinian Solidarity Campaign) & others. People joined in from Leicester, Coventry, Wales, Preston, Liverpool, Exeter etc.
At long last, action is being taken nationally and internationally to stop Caterpillars exports, from the USA to Israel, of bulldozers for aggressive usage against Palestinian civilians, in the occupied territories.
Two main events for the day 1) A Protest Motorcade 2) A Palestine Rally
the open-top double-decker bus lead the protest motorcade
Caterpillar/Perkins also make tanks for the Israeli Occupying Forces
Israels illegal Apartheid Wall must fall
the wheels on the bus go round and round
on top of the bus
outside Caterkiller Finance H.Q. Hockley Heath
Caterpillar kills
the 60 car motorcade protest stretched way back
Caterpillar Finances H.Q. now firmly on the map
peace and solidarity all the way up Stratford Road and around the city
the rally for Palestine platform - activists, campaigners and...politicians
Kamel from the Ramallah twinning committee
Stephen from Jews for Justice
speaker from the Friends of Sabeel
Betty from national PSC urges people to take action in solidarity with Palestine
the real focus of the rally: the diverse people of Birmingham
Charlotte from the International Solidarity Movement: http://www.Caterkiller.com
Afterwards, following a march through the City, we linked up with the Victoria Square rally, where a stage had been set up. Various stalls, art, literature etc., around the Square, highlighted matters Palestinian. Some organisations represented by speakers: Friends of Sabeel, B'ham Stop the War, Jews for Justice, Green Party, Stop Caterpillar etc. And, the indefatigable, Clare Short.
Up to a point, a successful day. But, only when Caterpillar has ceased it's bloody war crimes, in collusion with "democratic" Israel, can we claim total success. Those who care can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines.
Hi-res photographs available from
feckin_images@tiscali.co.uk
Bert Gedin
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