Category: News and Views
I am not the author:
Source URL: =http://comment.independent.co.uk/letters/article2742797.ece
Published: 07 July 2007
Sir: On Wednesday, I accompanied my sixth-form students on a tour of the Houses of Parliament. As we entered to meet the tour guides, I was taken aside by a police officer for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "1967-2007 - End Israeli Occupation" on the back. I was not given a reason, but told that unless I wore my coat to cover it up, I would not be allowed in. I complied. Nevertheless, I was later approached by another police officer for my name, address and details.
Once through the security gates, another police officer warned me, on pain of being made to leave, to keep my coat buttoned up, because the small Palestinian Solidarity logo on the front could just about be seen.
One of the first things the tour guide announced was: "This is the people's Parliament." A student queried: "Why then can you not show the T-shirt?"
The incident provoked much interest and discussion among the students. I was able to draw attention to the debate which took place the previous day in the House of Lords, headed, "Palestine: Occupied Territories", which was published in Hansard and given to us by our guide.
Launching the debate, Lord Dykes, "as an enthusiastic friend of Israel", unambiguously stated that Israeli occupation of the West Bank was illegal and criticised the international community for failing to make Israel comply with international law. Baroness Tonge stated: "The injustice which is Palestine is one of the major causes of the rise of terrorism in this world. Ever since 1948, Palestine has been used as a propaganda weapon for Islamists worldwide."
It is difficult to understand why one is stopped by the police for carrying a message on a T-shirt which is the same as that expressed by members of the House of Lords. After the question-time session we had with our MP, John Pugh, I asked what rules stated that I should not show the PSC logo. He replied with amusement that there probably were not any, but if the police say something, the best thing is to obey.
Are we now a police state? Do we have arbitrary policing?
PETER REILLY
SOUTHPORT, MERSEYSIDE
Your right so truth is poison I learn that quick in Belfast
Stevie.