A large crowd of Palestine supporters marched from Sparkhill Park to the city centre
Supporters gathered in Sparkhill Park before heading off on a march to Birmingham city centre(Image: Reporter)
Hundreds of supporters attended a national protest in Birmingham calling for an end to the slaughter in Palestine.
A large crowd, consisting of many families, gathered in Sparkhill Park waving flags and chanting slogans on Saturday afternoon, July 12, ahead of a peace march to Birmingham city centre.
Among others, the leader of the Workers Party of Britain George Galloway, rapper Lowkey and scholar Shaykh Asrar Rashid, who came to prominence during the Birmingham bin strikes, were expected to deliver speeches.
READ MORE: Shock as rats scuttle about in Birmingham park in broad daylight
Refreshments were given out to the protestors who were walking in temperatures exceeding 30C.
George Galloway in Sparkhill Park ahead of a march for Palestine
Speaking before the rally, Mr Galloway said: “I was in Birmingham last night planning our local election campaign as I was the previous month.
“I’m doing the same thing, picking candidates, talking to people about the various wards in the city and of course with this demonstration for Gaza, how could I miss it?
“I’ve been fighting for the Palestinian people for 50 years and I will until my last breath.
“Some of the best people in the city are here and I’m looking forward to marching with them.”
Hala Evans, 60, who originally hails from Palestine but now lives in Solihull, said: “I’m a Palestinian, from the West Bank.
“I’m heartbroken but hopefully things will change, it’s hard.
“No colonisation stays forever.”
A woman, who did not wish to give her name, said: “We are protesting for the genocide to stop.
“I’m a social worker and I work with children.”
Citing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, she said: “Every child has a right to life.”