HUNDREDS of protesters gathered in a town centre to protest against oppression of Muslims around the world.

The 500-strong protest march in Blackburn, which started at the Bangor Street Community Centre and ended at Blackburn Town Hall, was especially aimed at the state terrorism directed at Muslims in Israeli occupied territories.

Organiser Tassadaq Rehman said: "The turnout was brilliant. It demonstrates the kind of emotions that are in the Muslim community and the anger towards the terrorism around the world. People had come from around the country to take part.

"For a lot of Muslims it is about time we made our feelings known. It was a peaceful protest. The British Government is guilty as perpertrating and supporting sate terorism against the people of Palestine"

Inspector Mick Laraway, of Blackburn police said: "We were in close liaison with the organiser of this march and explained the guidelines for him and they were all adhered to."

The march was organised by the Global Truth. A group which was criticised in November 2001 for organising a march in support of the Taliban.

A week earlier hundreds of people from the North West had headed south for a national march in London. Over 60,000 people turned out in condemnation of Israeli Massacres in the West Bank. It was one of the biggest marches the capital had ever seen.