BUSH, OLMERT, CIA, how many kids did you kill today? was one of the chants heard outside Belfast City Hall as over 150 people protested their opposition to Israel’s merciless slaughter of Gaza’s civilians. Many of the protestors came from local schools and colleges Ciaran Gallagher, a member of the Queens University Socialist Society, spoke about the role of the media in this war and about the importance of trying to link up with other protesting students around the world including students in Israel. Peter Kattourah, a school student from Dromore, spoke about the horrific suffering being inflicted on the people of Gaza.
Protesters not only criticised Bush’s adamant support for Israel’s ruthless killing of hundreds in Gaza, but also cheered when one speaker talked of how many people’s illusions in Obama were being dispelled because his silence on the slaughter in Gaza speaks volumes about the role he will play as president.
It was agreed to have another protest at the US Consulate in Belfast and Socialist Youth will continue to campaign on this issue and will be especially trying to get school students out on to the streets in opposition to the war.