More local and national solidarity events...........
HASTINGS TOWN CENTRE INFORMATION STALL
Saturday 14 February 12noon until 2pm Town Centre (weather permitting).
Please visit our weekly information stall. With all the usual information sheets, the petition calling on Hastings Council to ditch the General Dynamics' lease, boycott stickers, keffiyehs, books and badges.
PROTEST AT GENERAL DYNAMICS
Wednesday 18 February 12noon Castleham Road, Hastings TN38 9NJ.
Israel has been ignoring the ceasefire with 1,620 violations since October, killing 586 Palestinians. General Dynamics' 2,000 lb bombs will have been used for many of these murders. With profits last year of $4.2 billion it clearly benefits very well from the genocide.
Who else benefits from the genocide? Hastings Council does. It holds the leasehold of the General Dynamics' Castleham Road site. The Council knows what the company makes and clearly knows how much the company pays it each year. But refuses to tell anyone.
Join us on 18 February! Protest at the continuing genocide; UK's complicity in it. And how Hastings Council profits from it.
THE BAN OF PALESTINE ACTION DEEMED UNLAWFUL
At the High Court yesterday it was announced that the Home Office's decision to ban Palestine Action last year was unlawful. There was celebrations outside the court including by a contingent from Hastings. Big congratulations to all sign holders and supporters for their role in overturning this legislation! The ban will remain in place pending the government's appeal, but the position of the police is "now focused on gathering evidence of those showing support for the group for potential future enforcement, rather than making arrests." Celebrations outside the High Courts (Instagram). Article in Declassified UK
SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO PROTEST: THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY AT HASTINGS POLICE STATION
Thursday 19 February 11am-2pm Hastings Police Station.
At least 22 people from Hastings and the surrounding area have been arrested for taking part in Lift the Ban protests against the proscription of Palestine Action.
Five local people who were arrested for holding signs in Butler's Gap will be attending police bail hearings at Hastings police station. None of them have yet been charged with an offence. Please come and support. More information (written before yesterday's High Court judgement) in the Hastings Online Times.
Thursday 19 February (11am). The Electric Palace TN34 3ER.
"An impassioned epic set during the Arab revolt against British colonial rule, Palestine 36 is a panoramic drama that interweaves period re-creations with evocative archival footage and revolves among characters both fictional and historical." More information at the Electric Palace website.
The next meeting is at 6pm on Thursday 19 February. New members are more than welcome!! If you are not on the book club mailing list but would like details of next week's meeting please get in touch: contact Jennifer or Jo.
THREAT MODELLING FOR ACTIVISTS
Thursday 19 February 6:30pm - 8pm Online meeting. The meeting will look at threats faced by groups in organising events, exploring ways to protect each other and to minimise risks and maximise our ability to take action safely. Organised by Netpol and the Digital Self Defence Collective. More information.
David was a great supporter of the Palestinian people's struggle for liberation and was a constant presence at all our PSC events. David was a fighter against the armaments industry, war, racism; for peace, justice, the climate. We thought the world of David. It was very sad when we heard the news of his death.
There will be a Quaker celebration of David's life at the Hastings Quaker Meeting House on Saturday the 21st February at 3pm followed by the wake at 4.30 at the Grumpy Cook. David's grandson Rob would like people planning to attend to contact him so he can finalise numbers. Either Facebook DM him or we can pass your details on to him.
If people cannot make Saturday they are warmly welcome to attend the service on Friday 20th February at the Hastings Crematorium at 10:15am.
David requested no black clothing. "He wanted everyone to be comfortable, so please wear whatever you like and colour is encouraged!"
David specifically requested no flowers. Instead he had asked if people felt inclined to donate to the following charities: Animal Angels Global; Lucy Faithful Foundation; Childline.
Our tribute to David: Facebook and Instagram.
Thursday 26 February 2026 7.30pm. The Printworks, Hastings. Stand Up For Gaza is coming to Hastings again. With comedians including Alexei Sayle, Elaine Fellows, Max Geddes. All money raised will go to Daughters of The Land Project, We Are Chuffed and Hastings Friends of Al-Mawasi. More information and ticket details: Link here.
COUNCILLOR PLEDGE FOR PALESTINE
The PSC is asking councillors to make a commitment to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people. There are three steps that councillors are asked to sign:
Uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people; Support efforts to prevent, and ensure accountability for, Israel's crimes of genocide, military occupation, ethnic cleansing and apartheid; Ensure my council is not complicit in and does not help to normalise Israel's violations of international law, including through the council divesting pensions and any other funds it administers from complicit companies and through its procurement policies.
PLEDGE FOR PALESTINE.
PETITION: CALL A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO PRO-ISRAEL INFLUENCE ON POLITICS & DEMOCRACY
A UK Government and Parliament petition: "We are concerned about reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics. We believe it is important to determine the scope and impact of any such influence campaigns."
SIGN THE PETITION.
PETITION: SUPERMARKETS MUST STOP STOCKING ISRAELI PRODUCE
A PSC petition to all the major supermarkets: demand that you stop stocking all Israeli products, including dates, avocados and peppers.
SIGN THE PETITION.
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. Craig Murray.
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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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