#STUC25 Congress condemned attacks on the right to protest, especially in relation to Palestine and slammed police repression and escalating attacks on our right to protest.
The General Council will now submit a Freedom of Information request to establish the strategy for policing pro-Palestine demos in
Supporting the amended motion from the STUC Youth Conference, on behalf of ATUC, Jonathan Christie told delegates that there has been increased overpolicing and police repression of the SPSC demos in Aberdeen.
He added, “There were further arrests just over a week ago at a demo against an Israeli representative competing at the World Bowls championship in Aberdeen.
“This peaceful BDS protest was met with 32 police officers turning up and arresting 3 protestors. With 2 out of the 3 protesters being held in the police van for over 1.30 hours.
“We have seen increasing police heavy handedness against protesters and intimidation tactics against protestors.
“This is at a time when a genocide is being committed by Isreal on the Palestinians in Gaza over the last 18 months, which has seen 60,000 Palestinians-of which mostly woman and children - being killed.”
He reminded that the ICJ has ruled it as a plausible genocide.
“The police should be arresting war criminals not protesters,” slammed Jonathan.
“As trade unionists and activists, we have a duty to stand up to this injustice and police repression. Protesting is our human right and this is a threat to all activists right to protest.
“BDS worked against Apartheid in South Africa and is making an impact again today,” said Jonathan, calling on all trade unionists to defend the right to protest, use our voice to call out the Gaza genocide, take BDS action and show solidarity with the people of Palestine.
