A Palestine solidarity march, for ‘humanity, justice and freedom’ will take place in Southampton on Sunday (16th November).
As well as showing solidarity with the people of Palestine, the march marks Palestine Independence Day, which takes place on November 15th.
The event will see demonstrators gathering at the Peace Fountain in East Park at 3pm and marching to Palmerston Park, where the community will together raise the Palestinian flag.
After the flag is raised, there will be speeches, poetry, and food a time to reflect.
The event is being held by the Shut Down Leonardo Group, who hold weekly protests outside Leonardo in Southampton. They describe Sunday’s event as a peaceful, family-friendly march.
Parveen Ishfaq, one of the organisers, said: “On Sunday 16th November, the people of Southampton will unite to mark Palestine’s Independence Day — a day that represents freedom, dignity, and the unbreakable will of a people who continue to stand strong against injustice.
“Despite repeated requests, Southampton City Council refused to raise the Palestinian flag, even though they have raised the flags of Ukraine and Israel.
“So, the people will take a stand. We will raise the flag ourselves for humanity, for justice, and for every life lost to oppression.
“We stand together and say: end the genocide, end apartheid, end the occupation.
“We call on the UK Government to stop arming Israel and to shut down all weapons factories in the UK that profit from war, whether in Palestine, Sudan, or Congo.
“No company should profit from bloodshed, from the destruction of lives, or from a genocide.
“When will this stop? Have we not learned from history? The world once said ‘Never Again’ after World War II yet here we are again, watching humanity suffer while the world looks away. It is time to stand up for truth, for justice, and for life itself.
“We welcome everyone, people of all backgrounds, faiths, and communities, anyone who wants to save humanity.
“Together, we will stand for peace, for justice, and for every child who deserves to live free.
“Palestine will always be Palestine. From Southampton to Gaza we march for humanity.”
Southampton City Council had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
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