Derry and Strabane Council offers 'broadest support' for protest march on US Consulate

Derry and Strabane Council urge the 'broadest support' for marches to the US Consulates in Belfast and Dublin this weekend, calling for an end to 'US support for war crimes'.

People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin welcomed the move.

"We welcome the overwhelming backing in Derry and Strabane Council for our proposal urging the broadest possible support for marches this weekend to the US Consulate in Belfast and the US Embassy in Dublin demanding an end to US support for Israeli war crimes and genocide in Gaza,” the People Before Profit councillor said.

“US President Joe Biden shamefully instructed the US representative to vote against an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

“The British government shamefully abstained on both counts.

“Both UN votes were overwhelmingly in favour of an immediate ceasefire. That's the view of the vast majority of people across the world in response to Israel's barbaric actions.

“The US and British governments continue to arm Israel and repeat its propaganda, even as millions are on brink of famine in Gaza. This makes both governments complicit in apartheid and genocide.

“The world is demanding the bloodbath in Gaza ends immediately. Ireland has a role to play in pressuring the US to end its unconditional backing of Israel.

“Let's put feet on the street this weekend in Belfast and Dublin for Palestine and for humanity.”

It came as an amendment a motion proposed by councillor Sandra Duffy in the Full Council Meeting on 14 December.

Following the passing of the motion and the amendment the Guildhall will open a book of solidarity for the people of Derry to express their support for the people of Palestine.

It also also called on Council to write to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar seeking that he refer the ‘brutal’ Israeli attacks in Gaza to the International Criminal Court for Investigation.