The group met at the Medical School at 5pm and walked through the Quadrangle before arriving at the location of the last year’s encampment where they practiced silent mourning.
Attendees tied tributes to people, who had died in the violence, to the fences that sit on the former site of the encampment. One attendee told The Courier that,
“we are gathered here today to mourn”.
While the group were stood outside the Medical School, listening to a speaker, a spectator began shouting “Israel”, and then “terrorist supporters”. This prompted the, previously silent, group to begin chanting, which they continued until they reached the former site of the encampment.
October 7 marks one year since Hamas launched attacks on Israel and the beginning of a war which is still ongoing. A report from the Watson Institute for International & Public Affairs, which is a part of Brown University, estimates that there have been more than 53,887 total direct fatalities due to the conflict.
On October 6, the day before the march, Kier Starmer made a statement regarding the anniversary in which he stated that, “We must not falter in our pursuit of peace and on this day of pain and sorrow, we honour those we lost and continue in our determination to return those still held hostage, help those who are suffering, and secure a better future for the Middle East.”
After the march ended, those present were invited to attend a walk and vigil organised by the Women in Black. The march members gathered outside the Civic Centre continued through Newcastle city centre.