Organiser of protest in Grantham calling for ceasefire in Gaza calls the event ‘a total success’

A protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza prayed for people of all faiths who have died in the conflict so far.

Saziya Mirza organised a protest of the conflict currently happening in the Middle East at Wyndham Park on Sunday.

She said that the demonstration was “a total success” with a “decent crowd”.

Saziya noted that some people did question why the protest was held on the same day as the Wyndham Park Halloween Trail, but she explained that some protesters had brought their own children along, adding that it was “so peaceful”.

“I think there were quite a few tears from what I said,” continued Saziya.

“I just told them facts of what’s going on now and put it into perspective. You could see a school in front of you, KGGS to the left of you, the boy’s school to the right of you and the Priory.

“Imagine in three weeks every single student in all of those four schools being murdered, annihilated.

“Some are under the rubble crying for help but there’s no resources to help them out.

“It’s a very dire situation. People are carrying their kids in carrier bags. It is the reality. Imagine going to bed writing the name of your kids on their arms and legs. It just makes you think.

“I think it was so nice. What made me melt was that it wasn’t just my community, the people that I know, that turned up. There were people that turned up who were all from different backgrounds and different ethnic backgrounds to the people of Palestine.

“Not only did they come out to stand, but made an effort to come out of their houses, some older people, and they had made their own banners and signs.

“That’s when you know that humanity is not dead yet, I say yet because every bit of blood being spilt, humanity is dying with it, but just not yet, is the biggest thing I can say about it.”

District Councillors Charmaine Morgan (Ind, St Vincent’s) and Patsy Ellis (Green, St Vincent’s) were also in attendance at the protest.

Coun Morgan said: “'I was honoured to be invited to attend the pro-Palestinian rally at Wyndham Park on Sunday by Shaz.

“It was great to see fellow ward Coun Patsy Ellis there and local people of all ages there too. Coun Mark Whittington had hoped to come but was ill on the day.

“The horror of the conflict has touched so many people. We called for a ceasefire and for an end to the deaths and injury on all sides.

“It was heart warming to hear the humanitarian messages from all speakers as we were united in our call for an end to the conflict.

“As I said in my speech, a hundred years ago two hundred thousand men left Grantham to fight for peace. A hundred years later across the world we still have much to learn.

“Our government and opposition need to listen to the people they are meant to represent. The majority of us, according to polls, do not support an escalation of the horror unfolding in Gaza and Israel.

“We shared a prayer for over 10,000 of all faiths, and none, who have died in the recent conflict so far.”