Violence on Houghton Street as Palestine Society protest ends in a heated exchange
Houghton Street was the scene of a violent altercation Monday, as a protest by the London School of Economics Students’ Union Palestine Society came to blows after water balloons were hurled at the protesters.
After the attack on the protesters, a fight broke out with one participant being punched in the face. Protesters claim that those who threw the balloons were members and/or supporters of the Students’ Union Jewish Society, although leaders of that organisation have condemned the attack.
It started as members of the Palestine Society formed a mock checkpoint outside of the St. Clements Building. Students were stopped before entering the building and asked by protesters for “I.D.” or “papers.” As the protest continued, certain Jewish students complained of “harassment and intimidation” as access to St. Clements was “blocked.”
Palestine Society members taking part in the protest claimed that while students were asked for their “papers,” only protesters were physically stopped from entering the building.
Niamh Hayes, a member of Palestine Society, said that “we are only trying to recreate the conditions Palestinians have to face on a day-to-day basis.”
Soon after making those comments, a group of counter-protesters ran down Houghton Street screaming “death to Israel” launching water-filled balloons at the protest. After soaking the protesters, they retreated with the Palestine Society members following.
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http://thebeaveronline.co.uk/2012/02/20/violence-on-houghton-street-as-palestinian-protesters-come-to-blows/
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