Red Rebels’ city centre protest
Street performers, the Red Rebels, processed through Lincoln city centre on Friday to protest what they call the UK government’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Six Red Rebels, dressed in flowing red costumes and veiled headdresses, slowly walked in single file, the silence only broken by the slow beat of a drum which was adorned with the Palestinian flag.
At various points - outside The Works, the Stonebow, War Memorial, Cornhill and bus station - the Red Rebels stood and posed as the names of some of the 20,000 children killed during the bombardment of Gaza over the past two years were read out.
Red Rebel supporters handed out nearly 500 fliers, which listed the impact of genocide on innocent children.
“The Red Rebels’ final destination was the constituency office of Hamish Falconer MP where a letter was delivered demanding that the UK Government immediately bans all arms sales to Israel, stops providing military equipment and components to the Israeli army, suspends all intelligence and surveillance flights over Gaza, and suspends all preferential trade and economic agreements with Israel,” explained supporter Rosemary Robinson.
“More names of children killed in Gaza were read out, followed by a reading of Michael Rosen’s poignant poem Don’t Mention the Children. Singers from Louth Palestine Vigil brought the action to a close, with a beautiful rendition of Peace, Salam, Shalom.”
Hello Lincoln intern Lily Bowen watched their progress: “The Red Rebels moved silently through Lincoln’s city centre in a slow procession to symbolise shared humanity and the suffering of Palestinian children.
“Their flyers highlighted the ‘catastrophic impact of genocide on children’ detailing the 42,000 injured, 21,000 left permanently disabled, and 1,000 infants killed before their first birthday.
“Through their silent performance, the Red Rebels transformed Lincoln’s streets into a space to reflect, and their message - a reminder of the shared blood and humanity that binds humanity.”
