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Hundreds show up to ‘defend our right to protest’ rally
“This is a weapon of mass destruction”, Leigh Evans said as he held up a pure white rose while addressing protesters gathered near College Green on Saturday afternoon.
The Welsh activist and nurse was one of more than 100 who had shown up in solidarity with Gaza and to “defend” their right to protest, for a rally organised by Bristol Palestine Alliance.
Evans was one of the thousands who attempted to enter Gaza via Egypt as part of a global march. He was also arrested on July 5 while protesting in London near the Gandhi statue in Westminster.
is needed now More than ever
Evans’ ‘weapon of mass destruction’ at the rally on Saturday was a white rose
Recalling the moments before his arrest in the capital, Evans added: “I was arrested for Defend Our Juries, while standing for truth and for ‘Falestine’ and for freedom in Britain – or at least the slim grasp that we feel we have of freedom in Britain.
“26 of us stood under the Gandhi statue, displaying signs with words on that I can’t repeat. And we were arrested for terrorism.
“I didn’t have a sign because I was in a police chase the day before, and they broke my phone, so I didn’t know where to go. All I could remember was where to be. So I held a white flower and I talked at the house of democracy in Britain, and that was a terrorist act.”
Placards emphasising the need to let humanitarian aid enter Gaza were seen at the protest on Friday
Evans, along with more than 25 others, was arrested for showing support to the now proscribed group Palestine Action, which also included a 83-year-old priest from Bristol.
As police officers stood guard on one end of the rally on Saturday, Evans said: “I am not here to say, I support Palestine Action.
“I am definitely not saying, I support Palestine Action. I’m definitely not going to say that everybody who supports Palestine is not Palestine Action.”
Other than Evans, the key speakers at the rally included Emma Kamio, the mother of Filton18 member Leona Kamio; Irish-Kiwi activist based in Bristol, Matt Obranain; and humanitarian aid worker Neezo.
The rally was one of many events for Palestine scheduled for Saturday, with a Big Ride of cyclists spearheaded by Palestine Solidarity planned to start from Castle Park shortly after 3pm. A public meeting with speakers from around the globe will also take place at Malcolm X Centre in St Paul’s from 2pm.
Saturday’s events follow a protest on Cascade Steps on Friday evening, where more than 300 united with pots and pans to show support for the ongoing starvation in Gaza.
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All photos: Rob Browne
Video: Karen Johnson
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