Palestine solidarity events to take place in Derry
Two commemorations will take place in Derry on UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people this Saturday.
Derry IPSC have organised a march from Bishop’s Street Courthouse to the Guildhall, commencing at 2pm on Saturday.
Separately RISE 4 Palestine are inviting people to bring a white flower to Free Derry Corner between 11am and 7pm to pay their respects to those killed in Israel’s war in Gaza.
A spokesperson for Derry IPSC said: “There will also be a visual installation at Guildhall Square, to acknowledge that World Children’s Day has just occurred last week; but still thousands of children in Gaza and the West Bank are living in hunger or fear.
"The visual display will also commemorate all those children who will never again return to a classroom, play in a park, or skip with their friends.
“Even now during a supposed ceasefire, there are Palestinian children still being killed by Israel. Be that by starvation, bombing or shooting – so it is imperative that pressure is kept up with protest, marches and BDS actions.
“Derry IPSC encourage people of all backgrounds, ages and beliefs to come out on Saturday; to show that empathy has not died, and that compassion is still strong for the poor beleaguered Palestinian people.”
RISE 4 Palestine stated: “To mark the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, on Saturday, November 29, Rise for Palestine will honour the memory of Hind Rajab and all the children of Gaza who have been brutally murdered by the Israeli war machine.
"Over 20,000 children have been murdered and tens of thousands maimed, mutilated, orphaned, traumatised, and denied their most basic human rights.
"Hind's final words after she prayed the Quran with the Palestine Red Cross volunteer, were ‘I’m scared, please come take me’.
"We invite you to join us to pay your respects to Hind and all the children whose lives have been cruelly ended before they’ve barely begun.”
In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
UN Member States have resolved to ‘give the widest support and publicity to the observance’.