Saturday, 14 June 2025

Halifax silence highlights the dying screams of the Gaza people

 

Organised by Halifax Friends of Palestine, 45 persons of all ages, backgrounds and religions (and none) today walked silently round Halifax Town Centre. The purpose was to highlight the ongoing plight of the people of Gaza, who, in addition to being regularly shot at, are being starved to death by the genocidal state of Israel whose backers include the British and US governments of Sir Kier Starmer and Donald Bush.

Assembling at the site of the former Wilkinsons the procession, which had safety stewards, made its way to the beat of a single drum on the road and path to the Bus Station. 


On arrival all participants stood for a number of minutes silently, which was respected by every passerby except those showing support by saying “well done” or, best of all “Free, Free Palestine.”







The marchers then moved to the Duke of  Wellington Regiment Statue and undertook a similar activity. 

Then, and to the consternation of the security staff at Woolshops shopping centre, which contains a range of high street shops that have interests that are connected to the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the protestors walked down the main street before entering, with the support of the security staff there The Piece Hall, Halifax’s best-known building and resource. 

A further 5 minutes of silence was held on the premises. Photographs were taken.



Exiting the gates next to the Central Library entrance there was halt on the steps next to the Calderdale Industrial Museum. The silence was temporarily broken in order to highlight the Calderdale Trades Union Council plaque that commemorates the fatalities in August 1842 that has its modern-day parallels in Gaza. 

Details of the Bread Not Bayonets Film were broadcast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0UxMadnIEA The speaker was thanked for his efforts.

The walk then proceeded to the layby close to King Street where passersby in their cars could clearly see the Stop Starving Gaza banner. 


The final parts of the journey included passing by the Royal Mail sorting office and then over the road to stop outside MacDonald’s, which has had its businesses impacted on after it donated food to the Israeli Defense Forces. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68740617 A number of younger customers were curious about why a halt had been made at the franchise.




It was then a matter of a 100-yard return walk to the starting point. The event followed the weekly one hour assembly at the top of Halifax Town Centre and to which 18 people attended this week.

Well done to all concerned especially the organisers. 

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