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Send us the evidence and we will help you, say MPs
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The simultaneous protest organised by the group 'Gibraltar Struggle Against Spanish Nationalistic Oppression' (GSSNO) against the constant hard-line taken by the Spanish Government over Gibraltar was held on Saturday in London and Gibraltar. As we reported last week, according to the group, the principal aim of these demonstrations was to draw attention to the bullying tactics of the Spanish government towards Gibraltar and its people.
Organisers of both demonstrations were happy with the outcome which they say was a success. Although they would have liked to have seen more people at the protests, they were mindful that considering the protests were on a weekend and with other events (in Gibraltar) happening at the same time, the group were more than satisfied with the turn-out, particularly the tremendous amount of support, both in London and Gibraltar that the movement is generating after only a short time in existence.
London Protest Outside Downing Street
The UK protest organiser Gareth Gingell who is also a founder member of the group was also happy how the demonstration went.
Speaking from London, he informed Panorama that the group had received very encouraging support, there was great interest from Londoners and tourists who stopped by the protest area to ask what the demonstration was all about, Mr Gingell saying that he was able to get the group's message across to hundreds of people who asked and others who took photographs and video of the event.
Andrew Rosindell Joins Gibraltar Group Generally, the Group was extremely pleased with the day. Founder members of the group are encouraged that the group is getting recognised and membership now stands at over 4000.
Andrew Rosindell MP, a long time supporter, defender and friend of Gibraltar, has already been in contact with the group and we are told has showed great interest It also appears that the GSSNO have been busy recently spreading their message, they have written to the EU parliament and the United Nations Human Rights Department.
Encouraging contacts, say the GSSNO, have also been made with other UK MPs where a lot of interest has been generated regarding the group's aims and purpose. One important message coming from some of the British Members of Parliament contacted has been straight-forward 'Send us Evidence and Make Your Voices Heard' so that UK MPs Can Help You!
Gibraltar Protest Outside Convent
About 50 people turned up to support the Gibraltar end of the protest; they positioned themselves opposite the Convent Local organiser and one of the founder members of the group Anne-Marie Struggles, and others, were seen handing out leaflets. She later addressed the demonstration. At one point Mrs Struggles crossed the road and went to the entrance of the Convent, waiting was the Convent's international policy advisor Chris Thompson, who received a letter on behalf of the Governor.
Not enough being done in UK to make Gib problem known
At the demonstration in Downing Street on Saturday, and outside The Convent, letters were handed for the Prime Minister and for the Governor of Gibraltar. The message is that Spain's treatment of Gibraltar goes unnoticed in the 21st century and that not enough is being done in the UK to highlight the continued plight of the patriotic citizens of Gibraltar.
The letters are published in full.
Dear Vice Admiral Sir Adrian James Johns - Governor of Gibraltar,
Today we have demonstrated outside of No 6 Convent place and outside Downing Street in London, in order to highlight the continued oppression and harassment of British Gibraltar by the Kingdom of Spain.
We are extremely grateful for the recent Royal visit but we still feel that not enough is being done in the United Kingdom to resolve the issues we face daily in Gibraltar. We believe we deserve the same support that is given to the Falklands - in fact even more so as we are over 30,000 British inhabitants!
We want our voices to be heard about the truth of everyday bullying tactics from Spain. We are fed up of the lies that are said about our people and our government and our land. We want to be able to live in peace with our neighbours without fear of further intimidation or pressure to give up our identity. We have gone to the referendum twice in less than 100 years to prove to the world that it is not the government that are saying we want to be British but rather that it is “US” the people who want to remain British.
As you well know, the political situation between Gibraltar and Spain appears to be escalating daily, regardless of any attempts on Gibraltar’s part to resolve differences. It is clear to those with open minds and clear hearts that the ruling ‘Partido Popular’, is seeking to divert attention from the current economic crisis onto something which will rally Spain’s Fascist and Nationalist Elements. However, Spain has a history of extreme Fascism, and the past teaches us that economical difficulties bring these ideologies to the forefront of society. We do not want to be the target of their angry politics and crafty tricks once again.
We ask that you do all within your power to assist Gibraltarian Citizens in this endeavour. We cannot understand how Spain’s treatment of Gibraltar can go unnoticed in the 21st Century let alone under the watchful eyes of a modern European Union. It appears that inaction by the EU equates to non-verbal sanction or approval of Spain’s activities.
We appeal to you, as the representative of the British Monarch in a British Overseas Territory, to stand by us in our time of need and urge you to continue to ensure that our wishes, our rights and our territory are respected. We believe our land belongs to US the people on it. We want to proclaim that we DO NOT WANT TO BE SPANISH!
Lastly, Gibraltarians have full confidence in you as Governor. You have stood by us in this difficult time and done extremely well in trying to calm recent escalatory steps by our neighbours.
Mrs Anne-Marie Struggles
The Gibraltarian Struggle against Spanish Nationalistic Oppression (GSSNO)
Dear Prime Minister,
Today we have demonstrated outside of Downing Street in order to highlight the continued oppression and harassment of British Gibraltar by the Kingdom of Spain. Although we are extremely grateful for the recent Royal visit given the diplomatic pressure the UK has had to endure, we still feel that not enough is being done in the United Kingdom to highlight the continued plight of the Patriotic citizens of Gibraltar. We feel as though we are forever destined to be treated as Second Class Citizens thanks to our immediate neighbour.
The political situation between Gibraltar and Spain appears to be escalating daily, regardless of any attempts on Gibraltar’s part to resolve differences. It is clear to those with open minds and clear hearts that the ruling ‘Partido Popular’, is seeking to divert attention from the current economic crisis onto something which will rally Spain’s nationalist elements. However, Spain has a history of extreme Fascism, and the past teaches us that economical difficulties bring these ideologies to the forefront of society. We do not want to be the target of their angry politics and knavish tricks once again.
We hope that you can do all within your power to assist your Citizens in this endeavour. We cannot understand how Spain’s treatment of Gibraltar can go unnoticed in the 21st Century let alone under the watchful eyes of a modern European Union. It appears that inaction by the EU equates to non-verbal sanction or approval of Spain’s activities.
We appeal to you, as the Leader of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, to stand by us in our time of need and urge you to continue to ensure that our wishes, our rights and our territory are respected. We are British, have been ‘officially’ for 299 years, and wish to remain so for many more.
Your recent statements reinforcing your stance on Gibraltar are music to our ears – we only wish you could do more to achieve a physical or measurable improvement in the status quo and urge you to do so.
Below is a summarised list of Gibraltar’s main grievances with Spain:
Illegal invasion of British Gibraltar Territorial Waters
Illegal fishing in our Environmental Protection Zone
Denial of our right to self determination
Attempts to choke our economy and people through actions at the border and sullying our name as a legitimate financial centre
Refusal to allow Gibraltar to join UEFA and other sport organisations
Refusal to acknowledge Gibraltar’s right to enter Tripartite negotiations (UK, Gibraltar, Spain)
Daily harassment of Gibraltarians by Spanish Citizens are on the increase
Lastly, I have full confidence in the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and your ability to ensure that our wishes and rights are respected. Remember, Spain is a nation with a population of 47 million, whilst Gibraltar has a population of fewer than 30,000.
Defend your people Sir!
Mr Gareth R Gingell
The Gibraltarian Struggle against Spanish Nationalistic Oppression (GSSNO)
25-06-12
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