Boycott Israel March Cork January 31st

cork | anti-war / imperialism | news report Tuesday February 03, 2009 00:45 by Teddy

On Saturday the 31st January approximately 80 concerned citizens demonstrated in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their plight for justice. The group convened at Daunt Square at 1pm and commenced a tour of the city's shopping centres before marching for a mile past Turners Cross to Woodies DIY Store near the Kinsale Road Roundabout. The protest called on the people of Cork to join in the campaign to Boycott Israel and in particular for shoppers to be conscience of what they may be supporting in buying Israeli products namely the recent massacre in Gaza and the persistent violations of Human Rights and Humanitarian legal standards.

The group convened at Daunt Square at 1pm where James Bowen reminded the people of Cork about the reason why we arrived to protest. James called on the people of Cork to join the demonstrators in their boycott of Israel. In particular he highlighted the power of the individual to use their wallet to help the Palestinians enforce their Human Rights and in order to hold the Israeli State accountable for their consistent violations of human rights and humanitarian law.

The Cork Palestinian Solidarity demonstration commenced by taking a route down Paul Street to the Tesco's shopping Centre. The demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and held banners calling for Justice, Peace, an end to occupation and a Boycott of Israel. The crowd rallied around the entrance where James again impressed on the people of Cork the necessity of the Boycott as means to hold the Israeli State accountable for their illegal actions. The demonstrators chanted slogans of Boycott Israel and Free Palestine.

The next destination for the demonstration was Merchants Quay shopping centre which is home to Dunnes Stores and Marks and Spencers. The protest moved down Carey's Lane up Patrick Street and came to a halt outside the centre. Again James reiterated the demonstrations motivations and the demonstrators gave out pamphlets with details of which products to avoid such as Jaffa, Carmal, fruit vegetables and fresh herbs. Shoppers were reminded to check for these labels as Jaffa has franchised its label to other countries such as Spain for oranges but the profits still end up in Israeli pockets.

Woodies DIY Store was the final stop for the demonstration and so the protest moved up Maylor Street chanting Boycott Israel and Free Free Palestine on the long walk to Woodies. In taking this long journey the protest gathered a lot of interest and support from passing traffic beeping their horns and many residents who came to their doors who waved at the passing protest.

Once the crowd reached Woodies James again called on shoppers to support our cause by choosing not to purchase Keter products from Israel especially plastic garden furniture. James assured the workers that this protest was in no way meant to undermine their jobs but rather to encourage the management to consider taking such products from the shelf. Finally the crowd moved to the main road where the banners lined the road to highlight the Boycott action. Again the protest was supported by many in cars who beeped their horns and waved. The next protest has been called for the last Saturday in February the 28th.