News / Palestine

Vigil held in Bristol in solidarity with the people of Palestine

By Martin Booth  Friday Oct 13, 2023

Dozens of people gathered on the centre to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Some were wrapped in the flag of Palestine as they listened in the pouring rain to speakers who included an imam from the Jamia Masjid mosque in Easton.

“To stand up for Palestine, you do not have to be Palestinian,” said Usman Sohail.

Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.

“To stand up for Palestine, you do not have to be Muslim. To stand up for Palestine, you have to be human.”

Sohail added: “This is about standing up to oppression.”

The vigil on Friday afternoon happened after City Hall was lit up in the blue and white of the Israeli flag earlier in the week.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees was criticised in one of the banners held aloft at the vigil: ‘Get your facts straight, Marvyn (sic). Bristol does not support Netanyahu’

Another banner read: ‘No support for Hamas or IDF. Only support for the innocents’ death and destruction’

All photos: Rob Browne; video: Martin Booth

Read next:

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:

Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
I want to receive (tick as many as you want):
I'm interested in (for future reference):
Marketing Permissions

Bristol24/7 will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing. Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:

We will only use your information in accordance with our privacy policy, which can be viewed here - www.bristol247.com/privacy-policy/ - you can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at meg@bristol247.com. We will treat your information with respect.


We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Related articles

You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Join the Better
Business initiative
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
* prices do not include VAT
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Enjoy delicious local
exclusive deals
You've read %d articles this month
Consider becoming a member today
Wake up to the latest
Get the breaking news, events and culture in your inbox every morning