13th Jan: Marches in 45 countries for a Gaza ceasefire v Biden, Sunak & Starmer for war. The reality gap
In an echo of the London Stop the War march on Iraq on 15th February 2003, part of a global anti-war movement, on 13th January there is a march calling for a Gaza ceasefire in London. It assembles at lunchtime at Bank in the City and marches to Trafalgar Square/Whitehall.
Its just one of 45 marches around the globe on 13th January with the same focus. Because of the history of British imperialism in the Middle East it might be argued that the London protest has particular significance. In reality though mobilisations of working people around the world will be of equal importance.
Standing against this will be Messrs Biden, Sunak and Starmer who on Friday formed a coalition that bombed Yemen, in reality in defence of Israel.
It will be interesting to how the reality of mass global protest is reflected in the media, where it is. Of course in 2024 social media means that videos and words of people marching will be seen, whether official media gatekeepers decide to notice them or not.
Most likely there will be a reality gap between the direct experiences of millions marching about Gaza and a media that mostly ignores that experience on focuses on warmongering. That gap will be noticed and it will be a political education for many.
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