Southside residents join Palestinian call for solidarity by banging pots at 6pm

Jul 30

A mass pot banging protest for Gaza is happening tonight at 6pm across Glasgow and beyond, with residents gathering at Langside Hall and other sites to demand an end to starvation and siege in Palestine.

*Pot banging for Gaza demonstration outside Langside Hall*

Words by Devon McCole | Photos by Sadia Sikandar

Last night residents gathered outside Langside Hall carrying pots, pans and Palestine flags to make some noise in the evening sunshine.

Some parents even brought along their wee ones, with Palestine flags fashioned into capes as they clattered together pot lids together.

*Mother brings child along to pot banging for Gaza protest*

Against the backdrop of an assortment of kitchen utensils banging against metal, their message rung clear: “Starving children is a crime. Free, free Palestine!”

This wasn’t a one off call for action. Last night’s demonstration is one of many across the globe, happening every night at 6pm for 6 minutes to raise awareness for Palestine in communities, and grabbing the attention of world leaders and getting them to take meaningful action.

It began on the 24 July when Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda – who has been reporting on the genocide and ‘man-made starvation’ of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip – put a call out on social media, asking for people to do it to call for an end to famine in Gaza. She said:

“You are not helpless. This is a call for action. Because the sound of our empty stomachs and the voice of humanity must be louder than their brutality.”

The pans symbolise the blockade of aid meaning that people from Gaza are suffering from malnutrition, starving and dying in search of food.

Yesterday, calling for a huge turn out on Wednesday 30 July, Bisan said: “This is an ethnic cleansing by weaponizing hunger, engineered and applied by Israel and the US in Gaza Strip. Researchers and humanitarian workers say, there is no turning back from this point and more Palestinians will be dying because of malnutrition even if food entered now, but at the same time hundreds of thousands are at the risk of dying in the upcoming weeks, if we don't act right now!”

Tonight (Wednesday 30 July) there’s to be a worldwide demonstration of pot banging outside of embassies, parliament buildings, complicit companies and major streets across the globe, as well as various locations up and down the country.

In the centre of Glasgow, demonstrations have been taking place at Nelson Mandela Place, and in the Southside, at the busy junction where Langside Hall is – but people are encouraged to join in wherever they are.

Last night cars, cyclists and passersby showed their support by ringing their bells, honking their horns, or by joining the protesters outside the hall.

*Demonstrator holds up ‘Honk for Gaza’ sign*

Mothers Against Genocide Scotland (MAG) have been participating in the demonstrations, encouraging more people to join in. They told Greater Govanhill:

“We have been sickened by the lack of action by the UK government. The Pot Banging for Gaza idea came from Bisan Owda, a journalist in Gaza, and it has become a way for mothers, families, everyone, to come together and channel the rage we feel into something positive. These are small, localised actions and we are seeing people engage who haven’t previously been involved in activism.

“We will continue until the borders are fully open and medical aid, food and water can enter Gaza. We’d love you to join us at 6pm for 6 minutes if you can. There are an increasing number of locations and if there isn’t one near you, reach out to help create your own."

There are an increasing number of locations across the city and Scotland more broadly, but MAG are keen to encourage anyone in an area without a local pot banging for Gaza demonstration to set up their own.

Langside Hall

6pm, tonight

Bring pots, pans and any flags or signs you have

Here in the UK people, campaigners, charities and human rights lawyers are calling for

An immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza to stop the bombing and blockade that prevents civilians - including children - from accessing basic supplies like food and baby formula.
For full unrestricted humanitarian access, including food, water, medicine and fuel - coordinated through UN agencies rather than Israeli-controlled military checkpoints.
The suspension of arms exports and military cooperation with Israel.
Meaningful political and legal action against Israel, urging them to comply with international humanitarian law and the International Court of Justice rulings, as wel as imposing sanctions on individuals and states involved.
To immediately recognise the Palestinian state.