In Oslo, the police estimate that around 13,000 people turned up in front of the Storting. to participate in the peace march. LO, Unio, The Church of Norway, Amnesty and Save the Children are among the organizers of the demonstrations which take place in over 20 cities in the country. – By gathering people in the streets and squares, we collectively show solidarity with Gaza. Popular involvement is helping to increase the pressure for Israel to stop the killing of children and civilians in Gaza, says LO leader Peggy Hessen Følsvik on behalf of all the organisations. Over 100 organizations and parties are behind the markings. Demands that are easy to support After more than two months of war, the situation for civilians in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic. According to the UN, around 18,000 Palestinians have been killed, over 70 percent of whom are women and children. – Regardless of political colour, almost everyone in Norway believes that the bombing of people in Gaza must stop, says Line Khateeb, leader of the Palestine Committee for the Class Campaign. Large markings across the country for Gaza. The police estimate that 13,000 have turned up in front of the Storting Photo: NTB On Saturday, the demonstrators have three demands: Stop the killing of children and civilians in Gaza, defend international law and release civilian hostages and arbitrarily imprisoned. – The requirements are broad and formulated so that organizations that do not want to be political can join. We believe it is important to know that support for the Palestinians is enormous in Norway, says Khateeb. Most of the markings started at 1pm on Saturday. Things are going smoothly The police say that, for the time being, things are going smoothly during the commemoration at Eidsvolls plass in Oslo. – Our job is to look after and ensure that things take place as they should, says operations manager Tor Grøttum in the Oslo police district to NTB.
ttn-69