Oslo, Norway: Energetic demonstration for Gaza
We hereby publish an unofficial translation of a report by Kampkomiteen:
On Saturday, January 18, activists from the Oslo Kampkomiteen (Struggle Committee) participated in a demonstration for Gaza in front of the Israeli embassy. The demonstration was organized by the Handala Association.
More than a hundred people gathered in front of the embassy. The activists carried a banner with a slogan in support of the three Palestinian activists, and flayers were distributed informing about the case and mobilizing in support of the three.
The three are charged with “reckless behavior and endangering the work of a member of parliament”, with a penalty of up to 10-12 years in prison, for following Sylvi Listhaug [Translator’s note: leader of the Progress Party] and asking her questions and shouting slogans. If the activists may be convicted, this will set a precedent that could weaken the right to protest.
The demonstration was characterized by well popular militancy and slogans were shouted such as “Long live the resistance!”, “Yalla, yalla, Intifada!”, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” and “min el-maiyeh lel maiyeh, Falasteen Arabiya!”.
Drums did beat throughout the demonstration and several demonstrators carried noise-making equipment. Near the end of the demonstration, several demonstrators took out an Israeli flag, which was set on fire and burned while slogans for the resistance were shouted. After the flag was burned, several of the demonstrators stepped forward and trampled on the remains of the flag.
The police were heavily present and initially tried to force protesters to stand on the sidewalk of the road, but when the protesters became too numerous, they blocked the road to the embassy and left the protesters standing on the street.
After the assembly, a demonstration marched from the embassy to the Parliament, and during the march several passersby came and spontaneously joined the demonstration.
When the demonstration arrived at the Parliament, they joined a demonstration that, among other things, condemned sanctions against Syria, where several appeals were made that the peoples of Syria and Palestine must unite against Israel’s crimes. It was also mentioned that Israel never keeps agreements and that the ceasefire is only a temporary peace.
After that demonstration, Syrian music was played and several hundred people remained to dance folk dances while Palestinian and Syrian flags waved side by side.
