BRIDGWATER residents came together on Saturday December 16 to campaign for a ceasefire amid conflict between Israel and Gaza.

The Palestine peace demo was organised by Bridgwater Trades Union Council, and the Bridgwater Peace Group.

Several locals turned up to support the cause near the statue of Robert Blake at the top of Fore Street.Bridgwater Mercury: Campaigners gathered around the Robert Blake statue.Campaigners gathered around the Robert Blake statue. (Image: Andy Mitchell - Bridgwater TUC/ Bridgwater Peace Group)

Flags were draped over the statue, and many in attendance brought picket signs to further drive home their message - some of which read: "Peace in Palestine" and "STOP KILLING KIDS".

TUC member Glen Burrows gave a compelling speech to those in attendance and passers-by.

"Just like thousands of people across the UK, and millions of people across the world, we're standing here both in sorrow and in anger of what is happening now in Gaza," she said.

"Sorrow because of the deaths, the suffering.

"1,700 people were killed in Israel on the seventh of October, 17,500 Palestinians have died since, 40% of them children.

"And the suffering goes on because of the blockade - the blockade which is preventing food, and water, and health supplies getting through to those people in Gaza so more will die, more will get injured.Bridgwater Mercury: Attendants to the vigil came together to sing John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance'.Attendants to the vigil came together to sing John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance'. (Image: Andy Nicholls - Bridgwater TUC/ Bridgwater Peace Group)

"We are sorry for the situation those people are in, but we are also angry.

"We are angry because we have a government and an opposition which seems to be blind to the fact that war crimes are being committed, and governments are not supposed to give support to countries committing war crimes."

After the speech, attendants came together to harmoniously sing John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance'.