Drivers may have spotted a group of protesters at a busy junction in Blackburn. We caught up with them to find out more about what continues to inspire them to keep turning out week in, week out through wind, rain and icy temperatures.
The pro-Palestine protesters have been meeting on the corner of Victoria Street and Barbara Castle Way every Friday since the summer.
They unfurl a large banner which is then removed after the protest finishes.
The barrage of bombing on Gaza has displaced almost the entire population and killed tens of thousands of civilians, many women and children.
In recent weeks, the demonstrators have been joined by activists from across Lancashire who have brought drums.
During the month of Ramadan the protesters said they will be meeting on Saturdays instead of their regular Friday nights.
Yasin Chopdat, who helps to organise the protests, said the small group have received great support from passers-by and drivers.
The group of about 25 to 30 remain on the pavement area and there is no disruption to traffic.
Yasin said: “We have a few people who travel from Accrington, from Burnley, Clitheroe and Nelson.
“A group also came from Manchester. We have recently been joined by the Blackburn Drummers for Palestine group.
“We have an increase in members and interest in joining us.
“The banner is put up and then taken down after the gathering is over.
“Although there is a ceasefire right now, we want the Palestinians to live freely in their own land.
“A ceasefire does not give them that. Every single day the ceasefire is being violated.
“We have to make sure the voice of the Palestinians is heard.”
When we joined the group, local Roe Lee councillors Saj Ali and Imran Ahmed, of the 4BwD group of ex-Labour councillors who quit the party over its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, were in attendance to show their support.
Campaigner, Neelam, who has been attending every week, said: “I haven’t missed a single Friday demo.
“We get asked about the bad weather. We look at what the Palestinians are going through. They are living in tents under harsh weather conditions.
“Us standing here for two hours is nothing compared to what they are going through.”
She said it was good to see people from different backgrounds.
“The fight for Palestinian liberation is not just for the Muslims – it is for humanity," she said.
"It goes beyond race, it goes beyond gender and all these little groups that we divide ourselves into.
“I think that is reflected in the type of people who come out to support us.”
Yasin said since December 2023 activists have held regular protests at BAE Systems in Samlesbury, demanding 'they halt all production of components for the F35 warplane' which protestors claim have been used by Israel in the conflict.
Yasin said: “We call on everyone in and around Lancashire to get involved in the campaign and hold them accountable.”
A further protest at BAE Systems took place just last week.
A BAE Systems spokesperson has said in the past: "The situation in Israel and Gaza is having a devastating impact on civilians in the region and we hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.
"We respect everyone’s right to protest peacefully. We operate under the tightest regulation and comply fully with all applicable defence export controls."
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