Pro-Palestinian march in Glasgow on Saturday, November 11, 2023

By Anna Konovalenko

November 11 marks Armistice Day across the UK. This year, in 2023, it holds special meaning. Amidst regular pro-Palestinian marches that have been taking place every Saturday for over a month, the UK government had a difficult decision allowing people to go out for rallies on Saturday, November 11. However, given the ongoing global events, people in the UK decided not to remain silent. 

Even though Armistice Day is a day of silence and memory for those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their nation since 1914, protestors called on the authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations that day, referring that rallies and demonstrations are the fundamental rights of democracy and freedoms, things our ancestors were fighting for in the First World War.

On the 36th day of the Israel-Hamas war people all over the UK were gathering to show solidarity with people in Gaza. Men, women, young people and kids demonstrated their support for Palestine. 

UWS Newsroom followed the peaceful demonstration in Glasgow. The streets were overcrowded with people holding signs that read “Stop the massacre”, “Ceasefire now” and “Stop the genocide”.

Apart from individual protesters, there were a lot of charities collecting costs for humanitarian causes in Gaza. We talked to one of them ‘Friends of Palestine’, a Scottish-based charity that has operated for 7 years, since 2015. Beginning on October 7, 2023, ‘Friends of Palestine’ come out on Buchanan Street every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to raise funds for Palestinians in need.

We talked to the founder of the charity and asked him what is his mission right now.

He commented:

‘Our mission – to help Palestinians in need anywhere they are. Whenever who needs help, we will help with our ability for this people.’

‘We have a huge respond and support from the Scottish public. Scottish people in Glasgow have been amazing’

Also, UWS Newsroom talked to Abdul, who collects money for the charity ‘Medical Aid for Gaza’. He shared with us that he sees a lot of British people supporting Palestine. 

He commented:

‘I can’t be more proud of the people in Glasgow for coming out and supporting Gaza’

‘The people here support a humanitarian cause for a ceasefire’