200 people in Preston to commemorate Israeli occupation of Palestine

2:16pm Friday 16th May 2008

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Two hundred people gathered in Preston city centre yesterday with an event on the Flag Market to commemorate 60 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Opening the event Preston Respect party councillor Michael Lavalette told the crowd: "The occupation represents not only a historical tragedy but an on-going struggle for peace and justice for the Palestinian people."

Speakers included Councillor Talib Shamshudin, Civil Service Union representative Amjad Patel, Lancashire Fire Brigade Union secretary Steve Harman and local imam Said Ahmed.

Labour group deputy leader Matthew Brown was also present.

At the end of the commemoration local children released 60 black balloons into the skies above the city, representing one for each year of occupation.

The event was organised by campaigning charity Children of the ghetto.

Organiser Mukhtar Master said: "On the day that Israel celebrated its sixtieth birthday it was only right that we gathered to commemorate the dead, the injured and the dispossessed of Palestine."