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Follow Us on TwitterMELBOURNE, Palestine Coalition: Protest against MIFF partnership with Israel 27Jul09 July 27, 2009
outside Hamer Hall
The Arts Centre, Melbourne
24 July 2009
On Friday evening (24 July), more than 20 Palestine supporters protested outside Hamer Hall at the opening of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and handed guests cards that asked them to send it signed to MIFF’s Executive Director Richard Moore to protest MIFF’s cultural partnership with the state of Israel. The picket was also staged in support of British film director Ken Loach’s boycott of the festival. He had withdrawn his film “Looking for Eric” in sympathy with the Palestinian call for boycotts against any institution that normalises relations with Israel. On the whole the cards were well received, but there were also some patrons who wanted nothing to do with the protest. Card distribution was kept up over the weekend at various sessions and the reception was mixed. Those in favour of the protest in some instances came back for more cards to pass on to family and friends; those against ranged from showing silent disapproval to some dismissive remark and in a couple of instances angry verbal abuse. A roster system has been set up for volunteers offering to hand out cards over the next two weeks of the festival. We would be delighted if you would vounteer some help. Please contact Moammar info@australiansforpalestine.com to find out how to get copies of the card.
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Thank You.
