London Protest Picket, July 29, 2004 Against Fundamentalist Attacks on Workers in Pakistan

On July 26, as news spread of the vicious attacks by fundamentalists upon members of the Unemployed Youth Movement in Pakistan, a number of Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign supporters in England began to plan a picket in London. 

The 29th saw them in front of the Pakistani Embassy and High Commissioner's Office with more than a dozen sympathizers of the PTUDC. Coming from England, Pakistan, Kashmir, the USA, Spain and Italy, these workers and youth demonstrated their solidarity with the individual victims of the attack as well as with the whole working class of Pakistan. Dozens of leaflets were given to officials, guests, and passers-by. To the fence-posts between the commissioner's office and the embassy was tied a large PTUDC banner calling for the defence of workers' rights in Pakistan. The signs of the protestors read, "Against Fundamentalist Attacks" and "Fight Against Fundamentalism! Fight Against Imperialism!". 

While the grim faces of officials peered down from second and third floor windows, police cars sped into the area, then halted suddenly next to the picket line. Within minutes, other police cars and motorcycles had arrived, until there were more police than picketers! But as soon as the comrades explained their issues and their aims to the officers, the mood lightened, and even the police took fliers for themselves, as our comrades continued to hand them out. A protest statement was delivered to a representative of the High Commissioner, and once he had read it, his attitude became supportive and friendly, even despite the bold demands of the statement. The demonstration ended shortly thereafter.

London, July 30 2004

More pictures from the July 29 London picket. Click on the picture to enlarge it.

See also:

• Urgent Appeal: Brutal Attack on our Comrades in Pakistan (July 23, 2004)
• Pakistan: Special Update New solidarity messages (July 29, 2004)
• Update from Pakistan (July 28, 2004)

Translations of the Solidarity Appeal:

In Spanish: 
Llamamiento urgente
Brutal ataque contra los marxistas en Pakistán

In Dutch:
Brutale aanval op onze kameraden in Pakistan