Today supporters of Youth Demand have disrupted traffic in Leeds, demanding a two-way arms embargo on Israel, and for the UK government to halt all new oil and gas licences granted since 2021. [1]
At around 11:35 am this morning, supporters of Youth Demand took action blocking traffic at Parkinson steps in Leeds until around midday. They could be seen holding Palestinian flags and signs saying “politics is fucked”. At around 12:40 the group re-convened at the Headrow Brigate intersection and disrupted traffic until around 12:50.
Today’s actions are the second day in a week-long run of actions in cities all over the country.
A Youth Demand spokesperson said:
“Israel has openly admitted to ethnically cleansing Gaza- one of the gravest war crimes under international law. The UN has highlighted that nearly 70% of those who have been killed in Gaza over a 6 month period were women and children.” [2] [3]
“Meanwhile, the western media continues to manipulate reality, claiming that the Israeli thugs terrorising the streets of Amsterdam in recent days are in fact the “victims” of violence. All while the UK continues to sell weapons to Israel, despite our Prime Minister being a former ‘human rights’ lawyer, who is clearly aware that Israel is committing war crimes. We need an arms embargo now.” [4]
One of those taking action today is Joe Clark, 23, a student from Leeds, who said:
“I’m taking action today because the UK does not value Palestinian life. How can you pay respects to the fallen who died resisting genocide, whilst simultaneously sending weapons to commit a genocide in Gaza?”
“We won’t stop until our government is no longer complicit in this tragic hypocrisy. Join Youth Demand taking action in cities all across the country atyouthdemand.org.”
Young people will not accept our politicians supporting the murder of innocent people. This week, young people are taking action in cities all around the country. Sign up for the national week of action at https://youthdemand.org.
ENDS
Youth Demand Press contact: 07762 987334
Press email: [email protected]
High quality images & video here: Youth Demand! Press Media | PUBLIC
Website: https://youthdemand.org
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_youthdemand
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Notes to Editors
[1] Youth Demand is a youth resistance campaign fighting for an end to genocide, demanding a two-way arms embargo on Israel and an end to all oil and gas projects licensed since 2021. Youth Demand is part of Umbrella and a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.
