Israel’s premeditated murder of peace activists was no mistake

Soldiersoriginally published by: Dissident Voice
published: 1st June 2010

If you think about it, Israel’s calculated murder of peace activists on a mission to break the siege of Gaza makes perfect sense. A lot of observers were baffled that Netanyahu’s government inflated the importance of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla which was delivering vital humanitarian aid to the largest concentration camp in the world but had the secondary mission of publicizing the brutal and illegal siege of Gaza.

To casual observers, it seemed like Israel’s belligerent posture was amplifying the international media attention given to the flotilla. It seemed so counter-productive for the Israelis to hand the peace activists what amounted to a nuclear powered bull horn.

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Blair Peach’s brother speaks out

Blair Peach
Blair Peach

originally published by: stuff.co.nz
28th April 2010

An apology over Blair Peach’s death at a 1979 demonstration in London would be of “no consequence” unless police unreservedly acknowledged he was killed by an officer, his brother says. Previously secret police reports have revealed that the 33-year-old New Zealander was almost certainly killed by a police officer.

Metropolitan police had resisted releasing the documents for decades, but made them available on their website yesterday, saying there would be no further investigation into Mr Peach’s death.

The teacher and peace campaigner died from a blow to the head while marching against the National Front movement in Southall, west London. His partner, Celia Stubbs, and members of his family in New Zealand have campaigned for the release of the police inquiries into his death for nearly 30 years.

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Why aren’t Black deaths in custody an election issue?

Parliament Protestoriginally published by: Chronicle World
2nd May 2010

In all the 2010 election brouhaha about fairness in society, no political party has made the alarming number of deaths of Black people in police custody a priority.

However, thanks to the GPI Generation (the heirs of the “Stop Police Brutality” marches) the anguish and concerns of Black communities and voters have gained a voice.

“Now is the time to empower people with “strategies of protest” against injustice in the hands of the law”, said Remi Harris, music producer, and Aisha Phoenix, graduate student as they welcomed speakers, campaigners and bereaved families to the George Padmore Institute meeting.

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