Thousands of protesters marched through central Cardiff for a third week in a row on Saturday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
A protester was arrested after the word ‘LIARS’ was daubed on the BBC building in red paint.
The BBC has become a target for pro-Palestine protests over its reporting of the issue. Only two weeks ago, the corporation was forced to apologise after describing Palestine protests in Britain as ‘pro Hamas.’
Another protester, a homeless man, was arrested earlier on the march.
Roads were blocked and traffic held up before a sit in was held in front of the BBC Building in Central Square. Activists held up the names of the 7028 Palestinians who have been reported killed in Gaza since the Israeli Armed Forces began bombing the Gaza strip two weeks ago.
Chants calling for a ceasefire, a free Palestine, and for government officials and media outlets to clearly condemn the occupation and genocide.
The 212 page document was released by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in response to President Joe Biden’s comments expressing doubt in the statements by Palestinian journalists regarding the numbers of casualties.
The document includes the names and ages of people ranging from less than one year to 93 years old. The document does not include the names of those trapped under the rubble, those without ID, those who were killed instantly and did not make it to hospital and those who are still missing but are presumed dead.
Aiman, a Pakistani poet and activist, said “As a Pakistani, whose people have experienced colonialism, genocide and oppression over the course of hundreds of years I have been following the occupation of Palestine since childhood. I have watched the media brainwash people by spreading false news and propaganda. I will not rest until there is a free Palestine from the river to the sea and I urge everyone else to keep fighting, keep talking, keep sharing, resist misinformation and spread the truth until there is a free Palestine.”
Sammie, a Palestinian Jordanian who attended the protests said “Although I have never been to Palestine, like all Palestinians I have heard the story from my grandparents of the horror and ethnic cleansing. I longed to visit my grandfather’s home, of which we had a picture hanging on the wall. I can never visit, however, because my family’s homes and land were stolen illegally in the Nakba in 1948. My grandfather was orphaned and had to escape to Jordan. They ensured their stories were not erased and forgotten, and I know that we will continue to speak until everyone listens. The fact that there is still misinformation being spread and that people can go on with their lives while this is happening and keeps happening over and over again leaves me bewildered. The killing of unarmed Palestinians in Gaza and the west bank and the dehumanisation of Palestinians and Arabs everywhere to achieve this is rooted in racism and islamophobia. This is not only a Palestinian issue, it is a human issue, and we will keep telling our stories until the world knows the truth.”
Dr Joey Whitfield a Senior Lecturer and president of Cardiff University Universities and Colleges Union said, “What is happening in Gaza is a calculated genocide for which there can be no justification. Trade Unionists and workers must raise their voices and say not in our name.”
Over 500 also took to the streets of Newport, where the Labour MS for Newport, John Griffiths, addressed the crowd, as well as representatives of Plaid Cymru.
Pressure is growing on First Minister Mark Drakeford and Cardiff’s Labour MPs to call for a ceasefire.
In London half a million marched in the biggest ever pro-Palestine protest in Britain. Hundreds also occupied Waterloo station.
