RALLY FOR JUSTICE

New Scotland Yard, London, 11 June 2006

A "Rally for Justice" was held outside the offices of Scotland Yard in Westminster, London. This was to protest against alleged police brutality towards Muslims during an anti-terror raid in Forest Gate on the 2nd of June. Several Muslim organisations participated in this gathering, although the largest, the Muslim Council of Britain, seemed to have been absent. There was also a notable presence of George Galloway's Respect party as well as left-wing anti-war protesters. But the bulk of the fury in this rally was directed towards the police. The turnout was rather small, with police estimating only around 100 protesters showing up. Organisers blamed this low turnout on short notice.

Many of the participants seemed to be boys of school-going age.



Women arriving dressed in Islamic gear. It was a warm day in London with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees celsius.

The placards were all pre-made and handed out to the crowd.

Outside the offices of Scotland Yard it was quiet, with police officers alternating duties and relieving one another frequently.
 

Ushers performing the ritual salaat before the rally kicks off.

Anti-war protesters were present, too. There was a group from Australia that attended.
 

The media lapped up George Galloway's words just before the rally speeches started. Respect seemed to have hijacked a large part of the media attention. This publicity could mean more votes for Galloway's party among the British Muslim communities. The lady to his right is a Reuters reporter.
 

Arabic-like dressed men with an Islamic flag.

Massoud Shajareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, speaks to Al-Jazeera. They also interviewed George Galloway.

Shajareh, one of the speakers, angrily waved his arms and finger-pointed to the police. As a speaker, he has a loud and thundering voice:

The police were ever-present, but there was no sign of brutality coming from them. In fact, they seemed less interested in this rally on their doorstep, than they were about the March for Free Expression.
 

I did not expect to be zoologically entertained, but this visitor showed off his boa constrictor. Whether he was a protester or merely a passer-by, I could not confirm.
 

One of the organisers, who introduced the speakers, wore this t-shirt which lashes out at Zionism.
 

The police were quietly present but took no chances -- some were armed. The London police always seem to be friendly and approachable.

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