Independent Meath councillor breaks Palestine Action ban
Speaking to the Irish Independent before the protest, Navan councillor Alan Lawes said: 'I think it is now up to the older generation and politicians like myself to stand up.'
The 62-year-old councillor added: 'We've gone through two years of protest, two years of condemning the continued atrocious actions against Palestinians, and it has gotten worse.'
'Our actions are in solidarity with the peaceful protesters arrested in London at the weekend in a disgraceful attempt to muzzle voices opposing the Israeli genocide.'
Over the weekend, London's police officers arrested 522 people for breaching anti-terror laws by supporting the recently proscribed group Palestine Action, a group outlawed on July 5. Many of the people arrested were in their 70s.
'Our intention is to expose the hypocrisy of Kier Starmer's British Government in banning a non-violent direct action protest group while also supplying weapons to slaughter children in Gaza,' Cllr Lawes said
Cllr Lawes has been active for years in supporting the people of Palestine and has organised local community protests to highlight the killings in Gaza.
He has now called for an immediate ceasefire and has criticised what he called 'the deliberate starvation of children, women and men in Gaza.'
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The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Councillors wear Palestine Action t-shirts in Newry as PSNI issues warning ahead of protests
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Far-right Israeli minister berates jailed Palestinian leader in prison visit
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The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Fury erupts after St George's flags are ripped down from city's streets by council over fears they ‘put lives at risk'
A politican also hit out after the move by the council 'UTTER ABSURDITY' Fury erupts after St George's flags are ripped down from city's streets by council over fears they 'put lives at risk' FURIOUS residents have blasted their local council after St George's flags were ripped down from city streets. Locals have put up flags on houses and streetlights in Northfield, Birmingham, in what was described as a show of "patriotic outpouring". 4 St George's and Union Jack flags tied to lamp posts in Birmingham Credit: BPM 4 But the council have decided to tear them down, sparking backlash Credit: BPM Advertisement 4 Many feel the move is excessive Credit: BPM The Union Jack and St George's flags were put up using ladders and cable ties by a group of residents called the Weoley Warriors. Funded by £2,500 of public donations, the campaign is intended to 'show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements'. The flags were first seen in Weoley Castle before spreading to other parts of Northfield including Bartley Green, Selly Oak and Frankley Great Park. Advertisement But Birmingham City Council have now confirmed the flags will be removed, saying the "unauthorised items" are "dangerous" and could potentially kill motorists and pedestrians. The council said that the extra weight could "potentially lead to collapse" in the future. However, the council's decision has sparked backlash from residents. One unnamed flag-flying resident told BirminghamLive that the patriotic bunting had been put up because people in the area have "had enough". Advertisement "This country is a disgrace and has no backbone," they said. "This isn't racism, it's frustration at being pushed into a corner and silenced." Jeremy Duthie, from Weoley Castle, also told the outlet: "My personal opinion is that anyone who has a problem with our national flag being flown is living in the wrong country and should maybe consider living in the country represented by whatever flag they prefer to see flying." Many have also pointed out that Palestinian flags were flying in other parts of the city to show solidarity over the Gaza crisis as well as Ukrainian flags in the past. And the council also lit up the Library of Birmingham in green and white to mark the anniversary of Pakistan's independence day yesterday. Advertisement Cabbies have hit out at a 'woke' ban on flying England flag MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith accused Birmingham City Council of piling "bias and absurdity on top of their utter incompetence". He pointed out that they have managed to find workers to take down flags after months of bin strikes. But a spokesman for the council said: "People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk. "Placing unauthorised attachments on street furniture, particularly tall structures like lampposts, can be dangerous." The council added: "Lampposts and other street furniture need to be protected which is why highways staff across the city removed around 200 advertising banners and flags that had been attached to lampposts since the start of this year. Advertisement "They take down attachments from lampposts routinely, including advertising signs, bunting trails and flags." 'PROUD OF COMMUNITY' However, Councillor Simon Morrall, who represents Frankley Great Park on the city council, said it was a "clearly peaceful moment" that "residents love". He has also written to the council to suggest an "amnesty" on removing any flags until at least the end of August. Helen Ingram, a historian who lives in the area, told the Mail: "Since the flags appeared everyone in Northfield has been talking about them – friends, family, neighbours, even strangers. "Everyone I've spoken to loves them and there's a buzz in the air, an almost carnival-like atmosphere. Northfield was once a tight-knit community and it's heart-warming to get back that strong sense of community pride and unity. Advertisement "Some of the residents of Northfield have pointed out that there are plenty of Palestinian, Ukrainian and Pride flags that fly freely around the city every day without issue. "They argue that flying a Union Jack or England flag aligns with this same spirit of being proud of your identity, your roots and the community that you represent. "That is surely a sentiment that a city council should be championing rather than condemning!" It comes after thousands of England flags put up on an estate to cheer on the Lionesses were ripped down by a mystery vandal. The area in South-East London is famous for its huge displays of flags and murals in support of the national team during major football tournaments. Advertisement
