On Thursday 26th June, several SCARFers attended the Palestine Action (PA) solidarity demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall.
A few hundred people turned out to voice their opposition to the government's intention to proscribe PA – effectively labelling anyone associated with, or expressing support for, the movement a terrorist. This authoritarian attempt to silence dissent needs to be resisted, but it's also a sign of desperation and a state acknowledgement of the effectiveness of PA's tactics.
SCARF offers its wholehearted support and solidarity for PA's aims and the tactics they employ towards ending the UK's complicity in a genocide.
MINOR FLARE UP
The complete absence of visible policing at the demonstration was noticable. Presumably the local fuzz decided their presence would do more to energise or antagonise the crowd, but we can't help feel an opportunity was missed to capitalise on the light touch approach.
While the majority of attendees were focused on speeches, flares, drumming, and chanting; there were some more malign actors on the fringes. Filming, antagonising, abusing, threatening, and (on at least one occasion) attacking participants. This didn't appear to be an organised attempt at disruption, with small groups of uncoordinated zionists/fascists taking it upon themselves to stir up trouble.
There was some heavy handed 'policing' by a steward, who had taken it upon themself to don a hi-vis and manhandle anyone who had the gaul to confront the far right agitators. Despite this, the miscreants were soon sent packing, one of whom left with noticeably less pep in his step following a heated exchange of ideas.
Hopefully the ire and energy evident on Thursday can be parlayed into bigger and better things as the force being brought to bear on PA needs to be met with an equal, or greater reaction. The government is boxed into a corner and trying to make an example out of a small number of activists, to chill further resistance. We can't and won't let these repressive tactics work, or no activist be will safe in future.
