Demonstration tomorrow at Hackney Empire
Campaigners have organised a lawful and peaceful protest against the world premier of ‘The skies are weeping,’ a Cantata concert for Rachel Corrie, the American activist killed in Gaza. While we regret the senseless loss of life of the young idealist, her death has been used and abused as a symbol by anti-Israel protagonists to attack Israel.
The protest will be opposite the Hackney Empire on Tuesday 1st November. It is being held with the full co-operation of the Metropolitan Police. There will be a police presence on the night as well as stewards to assist.
Our protest will highlight the Israelis killed in suicide and terrorist attacks that should also be remembered. Thus the protest will focus on the numerous Israeli Rachels killed in suicide attacks in Israel. No one has attempted to elevate their status. Rachel Thaler, aged 16, died of wounds suffered when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a pizzeria. ‘My Name Is Rachel Thaler’ is not the title of a play likely to be produced anytime soon in London.
Please come, show your support and exercise your right to protest. The demonstration will be peaceful and level-headed. We do not wish to be antagonistic but only want to get a point across that the rhetoric and blame games have to go and be replaced with balance and honest and fair dealings. The concert does nothing to build bridges and encourage dialogue nor does it promote an understanding of the issues. We really need your support to make this work.
Banners, placards and flyers will be provided, please don’t bring any literature or banners that may be misconstrued as offensive, there will be press coverage and it is imperative we get it right.
We will meet at 5.45pm, the play begins at 7.30pm. There is not yet a duration for the concert so we will decide on the night whether to disperse when the concert commences or stay for the duration. We have police permission to do either.
Details:
Meet at 5:45pm for a 6:00pm start (the play starts at 7:30pm) in Town Hall Square on Mare Street adjacent to the Hackney Empire.
Stewards will be there to assist
IMPORTANT POINTS:
- The demonstration will take place in Town Hall Square in front of Hackney Town Hall on the corner of Mare Street and Wilton Way, adjacent to the Hackney Empire theatre. The concert begins at 7.30pm.
- We also have permission to place a small number of people on the corner of Mare Street and Morning Lane, opposite the theatre. We will look at this on the night.
- We do not however have permission to use the pavements directly outside the theatre for obvious reasons and the pavements opposite as they are narrow and used for bus stops.
- There will be a police presence and a number of stewards to assist. Please listen to instructions at all times. All are there to protect, help and assist us in doing a successful protest.
- Banners, posters, flyers and placards will be provided. We are going with the Rachel theme to highlight Israelis killed in suicide bombs that should also be remembered.
- To date the duration of the concert is not yet known, thus we will decide on the night whether to disperse after the concert commences or remain for the duration. Please await instructions on the night.
Please give you support and forward this information to as many people as you can. Lets make this an effective and successful protest.
For further details, please call Jonny: 07980 555220
TRANSPORT
- By Train: Silverlink to Hackney Central.
- By Tube: Central Line to Bethnal Green, then 10 min ride on 106 or 254 bus. Victoria Line to Higbury & Islington, then 30, 277 bus or Silverlink to Hackney Central.
- By Bus: to Mare Street: 30, 38, 48, 55, 106, 236, 242, 253, 254, 276, 277, 394.
- Car Parking: Free parking Tesco’s, Morning Lane, opposite the Empire. Car Park, Hillman Street, behind the Empire. Are single yellow lines on side street but beware of residential parking areas - don’t allow parking until after 11pm.
