‘This isn’t about politics… it’s about humanity’: MP joins pots ‘n’ pans protest

Dozens of people took to Barnstaple’s streets on Saturday (August 2) to add the clamour of pots ‘n’ pans to nationwide protests calling for an end to the death and starvation being inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza.

The North Devon Palestine Solidarity Campaign event was supported by North Devon MP Ian Roome, who spoke at the rally calling on the Government to act, saying ‘empty words will no longer cut it’.

Above: North Devon MP Ian Roome speaks at the Palestine rally, saying ‘empty words no longer cit it’.

The protest followed a demonstration outside Downing Street when Sir Kier Starmer announced that Britain would recognise a Palestinian State, unless Israel meets certain conditions.

READ NEXT: North Devon protestors demonstrate outside factory that supplies jet parts to Israel

Demonstrators are calling for immediate and unconditional recognition to bring an end to the mass starvation and killing and Gaza.

Above and below: Protesting in Barnstaple.

Armed with pots, pans and spoons, supporters from across North Devon and Torridge joined the PSC on Saturday. They said the empty pots and pans are a vivid and when beaten, audible, reminder of the starvation being inflicted on the Gazan population.

The event began in Barnstaple Square, where Mr Rome and others spoke, before it made a funereal procession up the High Street accompanied by a sombre drum beat.

Pausing in the High Street, the group announced to passers-by and shoppers the reasons for the rally before making a cacophony by beating their pots and pans.

The group continued to Library Square where more speeches were made and the crowd heard excerpts of a moving account from a former American soldier that is making waves on social media.

He signed up to support the aid effort but was sickened by what he says was the deliberate killing of Palestinians including children who were waiting to get food.

Above: A sizeable crowd turned out to support the ‘pots ‘n; pans’ rally in Barnstaple calling for an end to the death and starvation in Gaza. 

North Devon MP Ian Roome told the Gazette it had been incredibly moving to see so many people at the rally on Saturday and to hear so many powerful speeches.

He said: “I truly commend demonstrations like these for keeping what's happening in the public eye.

“This isn't about politics as-usual. It's about humanity. I have been utterly appalled by the reports of mass starvation, with food being used as a weapon of war and so many civilians, children and families killed as a result. Such suffering cannot be ignored.

“I have written to both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary on a number of occasions urging for far greater action and emphasising the moral duty we have as a country to stand up for international law and human rights.

“Empty words will no longer cut it. My party and I will continue calling for: an end to all arms sales, more sanctions, ceasing trade with settlements in the occupied territories and an end to the violence.”

READ MORE: Pictures: North Devon protesters march for Gaza