Women in Leeds stand together to mourn victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
A group of women have been protesting in Leeds every week for more than six years to call for the end of the occupation of Palestine by Israeli forces.
The Leeds Women in Black hold an hour-long vigil every Tuesday at 12:30pm in Dortmund Square to remember lives lost in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to campaign for peace.
The protest is inspired by Israeli women in Jerusalem who began holding a similar weekly vigil in Jerusalem in 1988.
Now, Women in Black has become an anti-war movement with groups of women across the world standing in solidarity with the victims of the conflict which has lasted for more than a century.
Leeds Women in Black was first formed in August 2019 and features women from various ages and backgrounds, all calling for a ceasefire to end the Gaza war.
Like the other Women in Black groups, Leeds Women in Black protest in silence and wear all black attire, to mourn all victims of the conflict.
Last year, Palestinian journalist and filmmaker Juman Quneis created a documentary titled The Loud Silence, which saw the group’s members reveal why they continually choose to protest in Leeds city centre.
The 30-minute film premiered at the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival to a sold-out audience.
The Leeds Women in Black vigil now is attended by an average of 30 women each week.
The group, who have now protested for more than 330 weeks, welcome others to join them.