"Silence Is Not Good Enough!"

As many as two hundred protesters gathered today in the capital to participate in a demonstration against Israel's assault on the people of Gaza.

Since the conflict started seventeen days ago, the Israeli assault has resulted in the death of over 800 Gazans. Many of those killed have been innocent civilians caught in the crossfire; the BBC attributing one third of overall casualties to deaths of children.

The demonstration featured a "die in", in which many of the protesters adorned themselves bloodied in bandages and dropped to the ground in silence.

• Scoop Audio (1.6 Minutes): Father Gerard Burns talks briefly about the protest in Civic Square.

A drum was struck 800 times as a non-violent representation of the loss of life which has occurred.

The protest was arranged by a group called Christians for Justice in Palestine who are pushing for the New Zealand Government to take a "more active international role in support of human rights".

Members of the Wellington Palestine Group were also present at the demonstration.

Organisers of the protest prepared a petition asking the Government to publicly deplore the actions of Israel. The letter was signed by many protesters and hand delivered to parliament by representatives of the Christian group.

Fr Gerry Burns, who was involved in the controversial spilling of red paint and blood on the Yitzhac Rabin monument was present at the demonstration.

Burns called upon the New Zealand Government to put pressure on the Israeli Government to end operations. "[We must] prevent the supply of any equipment or services which could aid their military action."

"We need to help find a solution for what is happening in Gaza. We also need to find just and lasting peace in Palestine."

According to Police, today's protest went without incident.

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ENDS

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