On Saturday 18th January the Metropolitan Police launched an unprecedented attack on the Palestine movement by violently arresting Chris Nineham, chief steward of the demo and one of the founders of the Stop the War coalition. They also arrested over 70 peaceful protestors and interviewed Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell under caution. Chris Nineham and Ben Jamal, Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, have both been charged under the Public Order Act.
It is inconceivable that the Met Police would have taken these repressive actions without political agreement.
We have to be clear - this is a draconian attack by the state not only on the Palestine movement but on our right to protest. Therefore this issue affects everyone - from Palestine activist to anti-fascist activists, from climate change activists to trade unionists.
We must build a broad-based movement not only to defend Chris, Ben and the 70+ activists arrested on Saturday, but to defend our right to protest and demand that the repressive Public Order Act is repealed.
We will also be launching the Merseyside branch of the Stop the War Coalition
Come to this important meeting and find out how you can get involved.