Sarah Marches For Middle East Peace
January 5, 2009 1:51 PM
Local MP Sarah Teather was asked to speak at the Trafalgar Square rally
Brent's campaigning Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has marched alongside local protestors against the violence in the Middle East, and addressed thousands of people at the rally in Trafalgar Square.
The local MP played a key role in publicising the peace march, which attracted an estimated 12,000 people, by appearing at a conference alongside Annie Lennox, Bianca Jagger and Alexei Sayle. Local groups such as Brent Stop the War, as well as Brent Liberal Democrat Councillors, were among those who joined the march.
While the British Government have called for a ceasefire, Gordon Brown has so far refused to back up his words with tough action. Sarah and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg are urging the British Government to send a clear signal to Israel by suspending the upgrade to EU-Israel trading agreements.
Speaking to the rally, Sarah urged protestors to write to the Foreign Secretary to make sure that Britain sends a clear message to Israel that the attacks are disproportionate and unacceptable.
Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:
"When I visited Gaza I was devastated by the conditions in which so many people are forced to live. I saw real human suffering and experienced first hand the sense of hopelessness felt by so many on both sides of the border. I can only imagine the trauma and misery that this current violence will leave in its wake.
"Rocket attacks on Israeli towns like Sderot are unacceptable and have to stop, and Israel has a right to self defence. But the scale of these attacks is completely disproportionate and, by pushing people into the arms of extremists, makes the world less safe, not more.
"Gordon Brown's warm words are quite simply not enough. After years of cosying up to the United States, Gordon Brown must use his influence abroad to send a loud and clear message to Israel that their current actions are unacceptable and a threat to lasting peace."
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