Glasgow Stop the War Occupies the BBC

[Sam_b]

http://globaldayofaction.org/stopwar/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=994&Itemid=1

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=16947

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/BBC-Resists-Pressure-Over-Gaza-Charity-Appeal-Protesters-Occupy-Beebs-Glasgow-Headquarters/Article/200901415209883?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15209883_BBC_Resists_Pressure_Over_Gaz a_Charity_Appeal%3A_Protesters_Occupy_Beebs_Glasgo w_Headquarters

I'm just back from the occupation. Only three hours but this has to be seen as a victory: we were solid and only left after the international media had an idea what was happening: we had CNN, Al Jazeera, Sky News and Channel 4 all there, plus other independents.

I will get you all further pictures when I have them. We decided to leave peacfully due to the fact that there were children also taking part in the occupation, as well as the BBC conceeding to meet our elected occupation committee on Wednesday. We have told them that if they do not broadcast the DEC appeal then we will be back in further numbers and will occupy until it is shown.

[BobKKKindle$]

Well done. It seems that the UK really is experiencing a wave of occupations involving people from various political backgrounds who want to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people and oppose the complicity of the British government in Israel's military dominance; first we've had university occupations, a total of 16 according this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/23/student-protests-gaza) article, most of which have been able to win their demands and alert other students to the recent events in Gaza, but this occupation is especially important as it signifies that this is not just a student movement, it also has the potential to spread to workplaces and focus popular dissent. Hopefully we'll be seeing more events of this kind in the next few days - but if we do manage to win our demands we always have to be aware that this is just a beginning, we have to be ready to carry out further direct actions to maintain pressure and make sure that institutions like universities and the BBC follow through on their promises.

[Sam_b]

Statement by John Hilley of Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign:

Dear friends

Just back from our inspiring BBC occupation. We managed to simply walk in to the building and unfurl our banners, flags and placards before the police arrived in a panic to seal off the main doors. We managed to let some other late arrivals in through a side door. Spirited chants filled the lobby as staff and police considered what to do.

The message was aired loudly that the BBC are utterly complcit in the crimes against Gaza and that their decision not to allow the DEC Appeal showed them in their true establishment colours.

The police then announced we had 15 minutes to leave before arrests were made. We refused, explaining that this was a peaceful, moral protest in support of those already imprisoned and suffering in Gaza.

Various media started calling and arriving, which was the principal point of the occupation. But not, as we were demanding, the BBC itself. Yes, I know, no need to arrive when they're already in the building.

At this point, Tony Benn called to express his support and his words were read out over a mobile to loud cheers.

Eventually Ian Small, the BBC's Head of Public and Corporate Affairs was summoned and our group nominated five people to speak with him - including myself. No wish to personalise what we do here, but, suffice to say, Mr Small offers perfect insight into how such people get to be where they are at the BBC.

During our meeting - which we insisted take place in transparent observation of our group rather than the back room he had demanded - the points about the BBC disgraceful decision were put. Predictably, we got the template responses and assurances that 'our concerns would be registered' with Helen Boaden et al - a useful moment for me to to relate our understanding of this token procedure and the real issue of institutional bias. Our more pertinent demand was that the BBC come and report this protest inside their own building. He agreed to convey this to the newsroom.

A further meeting was secured with senior BBC directors at BBC Scotland. But, personally, I see no purpose sitting in panelled rooms speaking to power in this way. The real point here was to maximise publicity - which, I hope, we managed to do.

Having voted to leave the building, our objectives achieved, a number of press outlets - including the BBC - were waiting outside to cover the jubilant crowd.

This action illustrates for me the real value of direct, peaceful civil disobedience.

John

[Magdalen]

I was in Glasgow earlier on today for the Bloody Sunday Commemoration and the RATB Cuba Meeting, but by the time we found out about the occupation we weren't able to change the time of our bus home. Keep up the good work comrades! :)

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Schucks, you beat me to it!

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2009/01/bbc-hq-occupied.html

Stars threaten to boycott the BBC:

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/showbiz/Samantha-Morton-vows-boycott-BBC/article-642190-detail/article.html

[Sam_b]

Schucks, you beat me to it!

I should hope so Rosa, I was there ;)

Personal highlight for me was rugby tackling the security guard to get in the side door :D

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Nice one Sam! :thumbup:

In case anyone wondered, Sam's earlier post was from here:

http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1232922608.html

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

You made it on to CBS:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/25/world/main4752239.shtml

[Sam_b]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3225595079_426f19e781.jpg?v=0

:)

[Sam_b]

More Updates as I get them...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3226818654_82119fdcc6_b.jpg
That would be me holding up the 'stop the massacre' placard :)

More photos (hundreds!) here at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gphrc-palestine/sets/72157612985084878/detail/

See if you can spot me ;)

[Holden Caulfield]

Good turn out, the Newcaslte one we had was a shame as the 'leadership' were a bit timid, still it was good to send the message i suppose. Ours was a while ago tho, and outside, and cold:(

[Sam_b]

We seem to spell 'coalition' wrong on our banner!

[OneNamedNameLess]

Congrats on your work Sam and to Stop The War.

I'm glad the Gaza movement is still gaining momentum.

[Post-Something]

I came towards the end when I heard, but was locked outside. Hopefully we'll do it again on Wednesday.

Thanks for posting Sam.