PAST EVENT: A Vigil for Peace – Sat 2nd December – 11:30 to 1:30 – Wimbledon Quarter

As part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and pressure our politicians for the need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, please join Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign on Saturday, 2nd December for ‘A Vigil for Peace’ and call for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza outside Wimbledon Quarter, SW19 8ND (formerly, Wimbledon Centre Court Shopping Centre), 11:30 – 1.30 pm.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) statement on escalation in violence in Palestine, Oct 9th – an excerpt

“Every humanitarian will be appalled and horrified at the scenes we are witnessing after the severe escalation of violence since October 7th.  

International law must be the framework within which we judge acts of violence and their legitimacy. International law makes it clear that the deliberate killing of civilians, hostage-taking and collective punishment are war crimes. International law also enshrines the right of a people to resist oppression and military occupation. 

.”..we will be leading public demonstrations of solidarity with the people of Palestine. We will do so from a framework of supporting the application of international law and principles of human rights. These principles also lead us to stress with utmost vehemence that our grievance is with the actions of the Israeli state and those governments that are complicit with its crimes – we condemn absolutely any attempt to victimise communities in Britain in this context.”

Read the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) 9th October statement in full here.

What can I do? 

• Join your local campaign group and support their events and activities promoting human rights in Palestine. You can sign up to Merton PSC’s email newsletter by contacting mertonpsc2017@outlook.com to receive regular updates.
  
  We hold weekly events and actions, including members and friends attending the national marches in London calling for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. If you would like to join our contingent at the next march, get in touch.
  
  
• Educate yourself on the situation in Palestine. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign website is a useful online resource. Reading and viewing a wide range of sources will help you with understanding. Merton PSC hold monthly meetings where you can hear from speakers or watch film screenings about Palestine.
  
  
• Write to your local MP or newspapers and other media or write online to raise the issue of human rights and international law in Palestine.
  
  
• Talk and organise around the issues with your family and friends and raise awareness of the situation in Palestine within your social circles.

Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) joins National March for Ceasefire – 11 November

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

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  Auriel Glanville/Merton PSC 2023

Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) members and supporters joined the national march for ceasefire in Gaza, in London, on Saturday, 11 November 2023. Organised by the Stop the War Coalition, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the march saw hundreds of thousands of all ages, creeds and backgrounds from across the country march through central London demanding that UK politicians demand a ceasefire in Gaza. The police estimated that 300,000 people were in attendance, in what was the biggest protest of the weekly events held since the conflict greatly escalated, and others estimate an even higher number.

A group of members and supporters of Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Merton PSC) traveled together by rail from Wimbledon, whilst others attended separately. The crowd assembled at Hyde Park Corner at 12.00 and commenced a march to near the US Assembly in Nine Elms, in South London. A series of speakers addressed the crowd at the end point of the march, including an actor, MPs, a Jewish activist from Na’amod and a Palestinian child who has lost family members in Gaza.

Some people marched the full route, whilst others joined for part of the way. All were united in a call for ceasefire in Gaza to save lives and protect human rights.

Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) are participating in national events and holding local events to raise awareness on this issue and to push for a lasting ceasefire to protect the lives and rights of Palestinians. If you wish to join us at the next march or have any other queries, contact as by email via mertonpsc2017@outlook.com

PAST EVENT – 6pm – Thursday 15th November – Lobby Merton Council for Gaze Ceasefire Now

At 6 pm, Wednesday 15 November, outside Merton Council building, Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) will lobby councillors to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians from further harm. Supporters will read out the names of some of the 4,000 children killed in Gaza since the escalation in violence.

All are welcome to support this action. For more information, contact us by email via mertonpsc2017@outlook.com.

Hundreds join Wimbledon “Ceasefire Now” vigil

Vigil outside Wimbledon Quarter (Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC))

Saturday 4 November 2023

More than 200 Merton residents joined a vigil in Wimbledon town centre on Saturday lunchtime to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli bombs and shells passed 9,000.

At the vigil, organised by Merton Palestine Solidarity Campaign, people took turns reading out names of some of the more than 3,500 children already killed in Gaza. The list was read out in order of age, starting with the youngest, and during the 2 hour vigil speakers only managed to cover the names of those aged up to 3.

Jackie Schneider, Secretary of Merton PSC, said: “It was great that so many local people, young and old, came out to call for a ceasefire now. It’s time politicians of all parties listened to the people they are supposed to be representing. Ordinary people are horrified at the killing of thousands of innocent civilians by one of the most powerful military forces in the world. We mourn every single life lost”.

The rapidly-increasing death toll in Gaza has prompted a growing call for a ceasefire, with more than 75% of UK citizens backing the call according to opinion polls.

The vigil took place outside the Wimbledon Quarter shopping centre, formerly known as Centre Court. At the end of the event many of those attending travelled up to Trafalgar Square for a rally organised by the national Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Merton PSC holds public meetings on the second Thursday of each month at William Morris House, opposite the Polka Theatre on The Broadway.