Supporters of Youth Demand have taken action at Keir Starmer’s house to demand that the Labour Party commit to imposing a two-way arms embargo on Israel and end all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK, including revoking all Tory oil and gas licences issued since 2021. [1]
At around 12:45 pm, three supporters of Youth Demand hung a banner over Keir Starmers’ hedge which read ‘Starmer- Stop the Killing’. The three supporters also placed children’s shoes- representing the children who have been murdered in Gaza, onto the pathway leading to his door.
One of those taking action today is Ella Ward, 21, an environmental science student from Leeds, who said:
“In normal circumstances it would be seen as crossing a line to show up at someone’s house, but these are not normal circumstances and we can’t continue with business as usual. I’m taking action to call on Starmer to commit to stopping the killing.”
“I see Mr Starmers’ humanity so I’m calling on him to act with compassion by committing to stop the UK from selling weapons to a country committing genocide, and to stop licencing oil and gas. Lives are already being lost to climate breakdown and millions more are on the line.”
Another of those taking action is Daniel Flo Formentin, 24, a musician from Leeds, who said:
“Look where politics has gotten us! Mass slaughter and starvation of Palestinians now, and hundreds of millions more in the next 20 years as a result of climate collapse. Politicians care more about lining their pockets, than protecting the people they serve. Both Labour and the Tories are complicit and young people like me will have to bear the consequences.”
Also taking action is Zosia Lewis, 23, a cafe worker from Newcastle, who said:
“I am taking action with Youth Demand because I can’t wait for another election to ‘save us’ – it won’t. Labour are refusing to reverse the Tories’ oil licences or call for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine. I am taking action for the innocent people in Palestine and on the frontlines of climate breakdown who are being murdered or displaced from their homes. They don’t deserve this. I see no other way of making our politicians listen to us.”
Yesterday over 70 Youth Demand supporters marched from Victoria Embankment Gardens to Parliament Square, whilst another group took action painting the Labour Party Headquarters, resulting in 11 arrests. [2]
Today’s action comes as it was revealed that in the months since October 7, Israel’s assault has killed over 13,800 children in Gaza and injured over 12,000 children, according to counts by UN officials and the Gaza Ministry of Health cited by Save the Children. This means that Israel has killed or injured at least 25,800 children in Gaza, or over 1 in every 50 children living in the region before the assault. The death toll in Gaza has now risen to over 33,000. [3]
Young people will not accept the future those in charge have in store for us. We will not die quietly whilst our leaders commit us to a future of suffering and mass death. Young people are coming together to fight back. Join us at https://youthdemand.org
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
[1] Youth Demand is a new youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide. Youth Demand a two-way arms embargo on Israel and an end to new oil and gas drilling. Youth Demand is part of Umbrella and a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.
[2] https://youthdemand.org/2024/04/08/youth-demand-an-end-to-genocide-by-painting-labour-party-hq/
