Support Gaza protesters
March 26, 2010 09:30
Published:
March 23, 2010 17:42
by
lily
Isleworth Crown Court, London, TW7 5LP
36 Ridgeway Road,
ISLEWORTH, TW7 5LP
Osterley (tube)
Places:
Many thousands of us came out to demonstrate against Israeli war crimes committed against the people of Gaza in January 2009. Motivated by images of violent death and destruction, and a desire to express solidarity with the people of Gaza, adults and children spontaneously gathered at the Israeli Embassy in London to demand justice.
Following these protests 119 young people were arrested. They were predominantly Muslim and aged between 16-19 years, the youngest was 12. So far 78 people have been charged with offences, the vast majority of these are public order offences which hold a maximum of 5 years imprisonment.
22 young people have already been sent to prison. Their sentences have ranged from 8 months to 2 years.
Judge Denniss has clearly stated that many of the sentences he has passed have been deterrence sentences, intended to deter future protesters, and that he will continue to do so. These are political sentences, intended to criminalise the right to protest and which unfairly target the Muslim community.
The next lot of sentencing are scheduled for the 26th March, at 9.30 at Isleworth Crown Court. It is important that as many people as possible come out to show that they support the young people and recognise the unfairness of these convictions and we will not stand for it.
Our present aim should be to campaign for reduced sentences, release of prisoners, and dropping of charges. This is the very least that these brave and conscious young people deserve
**Support the protesters and their families at Court - 9:30 - 4.30pm, 26th March, Isleworth Crown Court, London, TW7 5LP**
Additions
Let the voice of reason be heard
Published: March 26, 2010 23:55
by
a concerned citizen
I think that we should take to the streets of Isleworth this Friday to peacefully demonstrate in favour of reason and an end to this insane, totally disproportionate and corrupt sentencing which comes from a government who frankly have no right to talk about what is right behaviour and what is wrong given the current situation in Afghanistan, Gaza, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Pakistan and if we don't get our act together Iran and god knows where else.
So why not write a leaflet (of your very own) and broadcast it around. I am writing to all local universities and colleges, mosques, churches and places where people may resonate with the idea of true justice and true freedom.
Peace be with you.
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sue
It's just not possible that suitable and independent evidence exists to convict these boys, 119 of them, of pretty serious offences. If anything that hardcore had gone down in the UK, the state would not be handing out 'deterrent sentences', they would be backing the fuck down and asking where they went wrong.
Whatever the rights and wrongs, most of them will have been sent down for the crime of taking the first solicitor offered them.
And depending on the circumstances of the evidence collected against them, many of them will have decent claims against the police for this shit, which need to be taken within a year, before the evidence that does exist starts to disappear.
Folks with communication and organisational skills need to get hands on deck to offer help to their families to identify who can sue.
Anyone?
anyone??