Oxford Street, one of London’s busiest shopping districts, became the epicentre of a major protest on Saturday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a boycott of brands linked to Israel. The demonstration, occurring just days before Christmas, significantly disrupted traffic and drew widespread attention.
Protest Details
- Organisers: Sisters Uncut, an activist group, spearheaded the demonstration. They took to social media to voice their demands and reasons for the protest.
- Key Message: The group emphasized that “normal Christmas celebrations” cannot continue amidst what they termed a genocide in Gaza. They called for the boycott of brands such as Puma, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Axa.
- Protest Activities: Demonstrators, armed with Palestinian flags and placards, gathered beneath Carnaby Street’s decorations, chanting slogans like “shut it down” outside stores like Puma.
Targeted Brands and Retailers
- Zara’s Involvement: Protesters also congregated outside two Zara stores, chanting phrases such as “while you’re shopping, bombs are dropping” and accusing the brand of supporting genocide.
- Previous Controversies: This follows an earlier incident where Zara pulled an ad campaign criticized for resembling destruction in Gaza.
Impact and Public Reaction
- Social Media Trends: Oxford Street was trending on X (formerly known as Twitter), with users expressing support for the Palestinian cause and calling for a ceasefire.
- Global Context: The protest aligns with international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, amidst escalating conflict and humanitarian concerns.
UN Security Council Resolution
- Recent Developments: The UN Security Council recently voted for a resolution, led by the United Arab Emirates, to deliver large-scale aid to Gaza. The resolution, which did not demand a halt to hostilities, saw the United States and Russia abstain from voting.
Background: The Gaza Conflict
- Casualty Reports: According to the health ministry, the ongoing retaliatory campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 20,000 casualties, predominantly women and children.
- International Pressure: The UK government and the Labour Party have both called for a sustainable cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
Zara’s Response
- Campaign Withdrawal: Following the hashtag #BoycottZara trending on social media, Zara withdrew its controversial UK campaign, explaining that it was intended to showcase garments in an artistic context and not related to the Gaza conflict.
