People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said has said the heavy-handed policing operation used at the Quuen’s University of Belfast Palestine protest this week was unacceptable.
Said the Foyleside councillor: “Shamefully Queen’s University officials hosted genocide supporters Hillary Clinton, Joe Kennedy and US arms profiteeer Lockwood Martin.
“While those inside sipped champagne, peaceful protestors gathered at the gates to challenge the ongoing slaughter of Palestinian children and ethnic cleansing by the terrorist Israeli state, funded unconditionally and cheered on by the Democratic Party and US government.
“In a shameful scene of policing the PSNI deployed a TSG unit against the peaceful protest, arresting four and assaulting dozens.
“PSNI officers used batons, punched, choked and threw to the ground people exercising their right to protest.
“The PSNI must be held accountable for their thuggery. Queen’s University officials are also responsible for the unacceptable violence inflicted on campaigners acting to stop genocide.
“If the Stormont Executive and Queen’s University bosses had an ounce of decency and solidarity for Palestinians, Clinton, Kennedy and Lockheed Martin officials wouldn’t have been invited.
“Instead, they would be the one’s being arrested for trial at the international criminal court for complicity with war crimes and genocide.
“The actions of the PSNI were a stark contrast to the policing witnessed over the summer, when they stood idly by while racist mobs rampaged through the city.
“Protecting the reputation of QUB and warmongers like Clinton clearly take priority over protecting our migrant communities.
“We will not allow the Palestine solidarity movement to be criminalised.
“Clinton and Kennedy have blood on their hands. Lockheed Martin is profiteering from the slaughter of Palestinian students, the destruction of schools and universities.
“The red carpet should not be rolled out anywhere for US representatives and corporations supporting, funding and profiteering from genocide.”
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