Inishowen IPSC group to Launch 'Apartheid Free Zone Campaign' in support of Palestine

The free afternoon event, on May 9 in Buncrana, will bring together local businesses, council members, community groups, speakers and artists.

The group are urging shops, restaurants, businesses, community and sporting organisations, trade unions, and civic groups to join them on the day and sign up to become Apartheid Free Zones.

A spokesperson said: “You will join a growing national and international movement committed to justice, equality, and human rights for the Palestinian people.”

Speakers on the day include Omar Barghouti, via video link, one of the founders of the global BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement; veteran civil and human rights campaigner Bernadette McAliskey; Damian Quinn from BDS Belfast; Mohammed Samaana, a Palestinian journalist and nurse; and Miriam Killeney from IPSC Inishowen.

There will also be a screening of the documentary film, Roadmap to Apartheid in the Buncrana Cinema at midday.

Refreshments will be available after the documentary has finished.

After the speakers and discussion, the day will wrap up with live music from The Henry Girls, Bernie Doherty and 9 Hazel Trees, and poetry from Annie Ward.

The Inishowen IPSC group said that ‘at least a dozen Inishowen businesses have already signed up.’

"They join hundreds of businesses and organisations across Ireland who have made the same pledge,” said a spokesperson.

“The public can also support the campaign by learning the everyday brands to avoid; by choosing to buy locally from businesses that have signed up; by, for example, buying Palestine Cola, which is increasingly in demand in local shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels and pubs.

“Cafés, restaurants, shops, hotels and other local businesses can become AFZs by committing to not procure or sell products from the illegal Israeli settlements or from any Israeli or international company that profits from violations of Palestinian human rights.

“Apartheid is a crime under international law.

“Apartheid is recognised as a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. It is a system of racial domination by one racial group over another, based on their identity.

“Furthermore, it is defined under International Law that apartheid involves inhuman acts such as torture, unlawful killing and the forced transfer of people. At least 1.3 million people have been displaced in Palestine, their homes, towns, cities are pulverised and the displaced people are living in inhumane conditions in tattered tents with little aid getting in to the Gaza Strip. Additionally, this is being repeated in the West Bank.

“The BDS movement calls for peaceful economic pressure until Israel complies with international law by ending the occupation of Palestinian land, recognising the equal rights of Palestinian citizens and respecting the right of return for Palestinian refugees.”

“An Apartheid Free Zone is a business, organisation or community group that publicly pledges to support the BDS campaign — a global, peaceful movement calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel until Palestinian rights are upheld. The campaign aims to build a culture of solidarity from the ground up, to make all of Ireland an Apartheid Free Zone.”

Anyone who would like to get involved can go along on the day - everyone is welcome.

"There will be an open, two-way communication between the speakers and attendees.

"Learn why it is vital to take a stand, how to become an ethical consumer and recognise your power as an ethical shopper and the economic impact you can bring about. We can all make our homes an apartheid free zone.”

If you would like to register your business or organisation as an Apartheid Free Zone, email [email protected] or you can sign up on the day.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 12noon to 6pm in St Mary's Hall, Buncrana. Admission is free, but the organisers encourage everyone to reserve a seat through the link on their social media pages.

See Facebook: Inishowen Palestine Solidarity Group; Instagram: ipsc_inishowen and Upscrolled: Inishowen IPSC.

Tickets available at, ticketsource.com/buncrana cinema