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Palestine Place, Smash EDO and the Olympic Games

Palestine Place:

In the first two weeks of June this year one of central London’s lost and abandoned buildings will be reclaimed and transformed into a radical centre for discussion, action, and education around the issue of Palestine. Palestine Place will be a squatted hub of activity from the 2nd-17th June running everything from film screenings, lectures, workshops and trainings to cultural, musical and culinary events (full programme to be released nearer the time).

Look at its events:

2pm Smash EDO Summer of Resistance Workshop –

A summer of antics and opposition to Brighton’s very own peddlers of death. Start working on your cunning plans now and join in! smashedo.org.uk

Smash EDO seem interested in disrupting the London Olympics:

It is quite obvious that the State is planning to clamp-down on what it considers to be disruptive elements during this year’s Olympics and Jubilee celebrations. This action by Brighton Council is, in my view, a small indicator of things to come. That it is somehow unpatriotic to protest at certain times and places is an idea that will be pushed to its limit this summer. The freedom to protest within the law at a time and place of one’s choosing is a valuable part of a mature democracy and a part which must be maintained steadfastly. It is certainly not something that should be sacrificed for a few cheap political points.

Palestine Place survived an initial police raid last night, as described on Twitter here.

They have since written an open letter to the police [emphasis mine]:

We were disappointed with the actions the Police took tonight in unlawfully attempting to force entry to our premises, causing damage to the door in the process. No offences have or will be committed by participants at Palestine Place. Having allayed officers’ concerns regarding alleged abstraction of electricity at the property, we consider the issue to have been addressed and expect to be left to go about our lawful business.

Due to the illegal attempt to evict us this evening we feel it necessary to clarify that we will not disturb or interrupt the Jubilee or Olympic Games preparations in any way.

Here’s another event they’re planning, tomorrow:

5pm Video link-up with Khader Adnan

Khader Adnan inspired the world and reinvigorated the Palestinian struggle with his 66 day hunger strike against his detention without trial, which laid the foundations for the 1,600 strong mass hunger strike that started on April 17.

Hear Khader Adnan speak about the those who remain on hunger strike, including Mahmoud Sarsak, who entered his 75th day of hunger strike today, and the future of the struggle of Palestinian political prisoners.

Via CIF Watch, here is Islamic Jihad leader Khader Adnan encouraging suicide bombing:

Be there or be square.