THOUSANDS of people will march through Blackburn this weekend in protest at the conflict in Gaza, according to organisers.

Speakers, including human rights activist Lauren Booth, Dr Brian Iddon, Bolton MP, and journalist Yvonne Ridley will address the crowd at Corporation Park on Sunday at 2pm.

Organisers of the march, the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said the protest was a response to Israel “launching a vicious and barbaric assault on the helpless women, children and families of Gaza”.

Salim Mulla, from LCM, will be leading the march from the Bangor Street Community Centre at 1pm.

He said he hoped thousands of people from all communities in East Lancashire would attend.

He said: “Britain has an obligation to stand up and protect the rights of innocent civilians.

“We as a community will not stand by silently as this injustice continues.

"We call upon the British government to take a firm stand against the excessive actions of the state of Israel.”

LCM spokesman Farouk Hussain added: “Whilst all nations have the right of self defence, Israel has callously hijacked this principle as a premise for launching a barbaric assault on the helpless women and children of Gaza, having previously starved them of basic food, energy and medical supplies over many years.”

Local police have helped organisers plan the event, which has been moved from Blackburn Town Hall due to fears over an the large number of protesters.

A protest march will also take place in Nelson today against the conflict in Gaza.

The Pendle for Palestine Twinning Group and Stop the War Coalition will hold the protest at the war memorial in Market Square at 1.30pm.

The protestors will present a petition to Pendle MP Gordon Prentice later in the afternoon.

Mr Prentice has called for an immediate and unconditional end to the Israeli onslaught in Gaza.

Speaking from his office at Westminster, Mr Prentice said: “The carnage we have witnessed in Gaza demands a ceasefire now.

"Not just for three hours or three days. With over 600 deaths and mounting, the slaughter must end.”

Protests have already taken place across the north west including in Preston, Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester.