Urgent appeal to defend the right to protest outside M&S in Manchester!

This afternoon the most serious attack on the democratic right to protest in Manchester occurred. At least nine protesters from Manchester Victory to the Intifada Group have been arrested under the Section 14 of the Public Order Act as the police attempt to crush the picket. We call upon everyone to call Manchester police to demand their immediate release. The number to call is 0161 872 5050. At this stage it is unclear to which police station our comrades have been moved to or the full extent of the charges or when they will be released.

This outrageous infringement on our right to protest and is an attack on all progressive forces who are serious about challenging the status quo. The Victory to the Intifada picket has been ongoing in Manchester throughout the past four years of the Palestinian Intifada. The police ban on our picket follows a series of attacks by both the Labour council in Manchester and Zionists intent on destroying any support for the Palestinian people.

DEFEND THE PICKET OF M&S!
DEFEND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST!

 Victory_Intifada@hotmail.com

07816547066 or 0207 837 1688

To let us know if you will be able to support the Picket this week or if you need more info.

From our e-group,  boycottMarks_Spencers@yahoogroups.com on December 1st

POLICE BAN
Yes on Saturday the police handed us a letter from the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester which under Section 14 of The Public Order Act bans the Picket outside M&S from 29 November until 3 January 2005. The reason given is the amount of shoppers in the city centre in this period and the fact that, 'I (the Chief Constable) believe that it (the
Picket) may result in serious disruption to the life of the community in the city of Manchester or serious public disorder'.
The police in a sham show of 'fairness' handed a similar letter to the Zionists who were gathering as they do every week to oppose us, on receipt of their letter the Zionists could not suppress their joy. 'We've won' they shouted, they treated the police ban as a victory for their tactics which of course it is in a way. Their whole aim has been through intimidation and disruption to get the Picket banned and the police have obliged them.

We of course are getting legal advise and will be having some sort of protest on Saturday. We have a Campaign meeting on Wednesday where we will be discussing the legal advise and our tactics. Please come out and support the only weekly protest in support of Palestine in Manchester we need you more than ever over the next few weeks.

DON'T LET THE ZIONISTS WIN.
www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk