THOUSANDS of protestors marched through Kolkata on July 17, condemning Israel’s aggression on Gaza. At the call of the Left Front, people assembled in Moulali in central Kolkata and marched to Park Circus Maidan. Biman Basu and other leaders of the Left Front led the rally. People from all walks of life, including workers, students, and intellectuals joined the rally. Fiery slogans were raised against Israel and US imperialism. After the procession, a public meeting was held. Addressing the gathering, Biman Basu said that inhuman aggression by Israel on Palestinian people could only happen because of support from US imperialism. What is shocking for us, Indian government has even refused to condemn the attack. They are taking shelter under the garb of conflict of ‘two sides’. This is a departure from India’s long-cherished support for Palestine. Basu said, the fight against imperialism is an important component of fight to defend democracy. Protest rallies were held all over West Bengal. Students, youth, women’s organisations organised separate rallies in districts too. Meanwhile, the state government refused permission to a joint trade union rally on Gaza. The Left trade unions called for a rally on July 25 which was scheduled to terminate in front of the US consulate in Kolkata. Police refused permission for the rally, even after trade union leaders agreed to shift venue kilometers away from the US consulate. Trade unions have declared that there will be a rally in the same day in Kolkata.