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Hastings and District Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Newsletter 8 July 2025
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In this newsletter:
This Wednesday 9 July - Protest at General Dynamics
Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm - Oh Big Blue exhibition at the Stade
Thursday 6.30pm - Film Show The Encampments
Saturday 12noon until 6pm - St Leonards Festival
Saturday 19 July - National March for Palestine in London
Sunday 20 July 10.45 - Walk the Seafront, fundraiser for Al-Mawasi
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STOP ARMS TO ISRAEL
PEACEFUL PROTEST IS NOT A CRIME
Wednesday 9 July 3pm. General Dynamics, 100 Castleham Road, Hastings TN38 9NJ
Israel's genocide against the people of Gaza continues with a vengeance. We must keep up the pressure against all those responsible - the apartheid state of Israel of course, but also the UK government and its complicity. And the weapons providers - companies such as General Dynamics which supplies the 2,000 pound bombs which are raining down on the people of Gaza at this moment.
We will also be protesting at the government clamp down of peaceful protests. The proscription of Palestine Action is an absolute disgrace, a hugely dangerous move by an authoritarian, draconian government that suppresses political dissent and protest. We fully Support Gabriel Carlyle and the 28 other protestors who were arrested in Parliament Square on Saturday. Article here.
The crack down on peaceful protest reached its most absurd heights last week when Hastings police handcuffed and arrested one of our protesters for writing in chalk "Stop Genocide" and "Stop Arms to Israel" on the pavement at General Dynamics. Article here.
We won't be silenced. We won't be censured. Join us for our rally at General Dynamics.Facebook event page and Instagram post.
THE BAN ON PALESTINE ACTION
On Monday we held an emergency Zoom for members about the proscription of Palestine Action and its implications for our movement. Read the national PSC's full statement on proscription here. NetPol have produced useful guidance on the impact of proscription, as well as the potential consequences for falling foul of this unjust law, which can be found here. Cage International answers many common questions on its web page Know Your Rights. And the national PSC took legal advice on some specific queries about social media and court support which can be read here. You can read about the specific offences under this legislation here.
This is the first time in UK history that a direct action group has been banned under terrorism legislation so we encourage all our supporters to make use of all the information out there. One thing is clear - this unjust law is designed to divide our movement and dampen our solidarity for Palestine. It will not work. The ban is being challenged in the courts and brave individuals have already put their liberty on the line to challenge it on the streets. As a group, though we have no intention of defying the ban, we will keep using a range of tactics - including civil disobedience - to raise awareness and disrupt business as usual during a genocide. Peaceful protest is not a crime.
OH BIG BLUE - AN EXHIBITION OF POETRY AND ART BY PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
9 - 12 July 10am - 4pm, Stade Hall Facebook event page.
"AN ANTIDOTE TO THE POISONS OF THIS WORLD." OH BIG BLUE POETRY EXHIBITION IN THE NEWS
We're excited to be launching our exhibition Oh Big Blue with the Hands Up Project which will be open 10am until 4pm every day Wednesday until Saturday. The event is free and open to all. Copies of the book will be available to buy.
Written last year by children ages 9-17 from all over Palestine including Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, Nablus, Jerusalem and Gaza, the collection of illustrated poems comes directly from the hearts and minds of Palestinian children growing up in a time of genocide and apartheid. They stand as a testament to courage, hope, resilience, and love.
Our upcoming exhibition is getting some great coverage in the press, including in Rye News, Sussex World and Skwawkbox. To find out more.
THE ENCAMPMENTS: FILM SCREENING AND Q&A FUNDRAISER FOR AL MAWASI
Thursday 10 July 6:30pm, Stade Hall Facebook event page. Ticket details.
Don't miss the chance to see the Hastings premiere of THE ENCAMPMENTS, the powerful new documentary following the Palestine solidarity protests that erupted across university campuses in 2024. Timely, urgent and filled with a clear-eyed fury, THE ENCAMPMENTS is a rallying cry for those who refuse to be silenced and a message of hope for the people of Palestine.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with UK student encampment organisers and is taking place in Stade Hall, where visitors can also view the Oh Big Blue exhibition of poetry and art by Palestinian children. It is a fundraiser for Al Mawasi with tickets priced £10/£8 concessions.
Saturday 12 July 12.00 noon - 6pm. Warrior Square Gardens. We will as usual have a stall at the festival. Please come and visit. More information.
Alongside our stall we're organising a Kids' Corner with a range of craft activities. We will have badge making, pebble painting, drawing and our 8-year old expert advisor is working on a few more activities.
NO TOWN CENTRE INFORMATION STALL
On Saturday 12 July there will be no information stall.
NATIONAL MARCH FOR PALESTINE
Saturday 19 July, 12noon Embankment Tube, ondon.
While Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza its more important than ever that we continue to show solidarity with Palestine and pressure our government to Stop Arming Israel. Catch
the
10.31 Hastings train to London. If you would like help with the train fare or would like to donate a fare, please contact us We match donors with
marchers.
WALK THE SEAFRONT: FUNDRAISER FOR AL-MAWASI
Sunday 20 July 10.45am. The Stade. Join us on this fundraiser for Al-Mawasi. Please share with family and friends and help make this event a success for the community in Al Mawasi. If you are unable to join us for the walk, feel free to come down and show your support as we set off. Pick up a sponsorship form at one of our information stalls, at any of our events, or email. Or just turn up on the day.
PALESTINE - ISRAEL: FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
Much of the 'information' in the corporate media is misleading. Here are some useful sources:
Middle East Eye. Electronic Intifada. Al Jazeera. Middle East Monitor.
Mondoweiss. Palestine Chronicle. Al Mayadeen. Mintpress. The Grayzone.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. Jonathan Cook.
The Cradle. MediaLens. Declassified UK. The Hind Rajab Foundation.
Rania Khalek.
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Hastings and District PSC online membership and donations
Becoming a member of Hastings and District PSC is an important way of supporting our work.The annual subscription is £10 waged, £5 unwaged. We now have an online membership payment form. It can also be used to renew membership. If you would rather not use Paypal, you can pay directly to our bank: please contact us for the details. Or alternatively pay at one of our events.
The work of Hastings and District PSC could not continue without the donations from members of the public. If you would like to support our work without becoming a member please visit our shop page here and see the right hand column:
Donate to Hastings and District PSC.
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