DERRY is being encouraged to make as much noise as possible this weekend as part of a rally for Palestine.
‘Rise and March for Gaza’ is being organised by the recently formed action group RISE for Palestine.
RISE for Palestine is a “grassroots initiative” which believes in the “power of community action, solidarity, and collective responsibility in the fight for justice and equality”.
The rally will assemble at Bishop’s Gate at 2pm on Sunday, August 10 and make its way to Guildhall Square.
Speaking to The Derry News, Catherine Hutton said RISE for Palestine was a “call to raise awareness, challenge injustice, and take action in solidarity with the people of Palestine”.
“In Gaza, food is blocked. Aid is denied. Children are dying, not just from bombs, but hunger and thirst. This is not a natural disaster. It is a deliberate, man-made atrocity,” Ms Hutton said.
“Derry will not stay silent. We will not look away. On Sunday, we are calling for the community to fill the streets of Derry for Gaza. Your presence matters.
“Answering the call from journalist Bisan Owda, we are asking everyone to bring their pots and pans, bring anything they can bang for Gaza and let’s turn Derry into a roar of resistance and compassion they can’t ignore.”
Explaining the formation of RISE for Palestine, she said while the group supported the range of pro-Palestine actions in the city, there was an “urgent and desperate need to get money on the ground in Gaza”.
“We are working with people who are actually getting money into the hands of the people,” Catherine Hutton said.
“What inspired us most was when the young Palestinian journalist Adu Bakr Abed arrived in Ireland. He has been touring everywhere, trying to keep the cause of Gaza foremost in people’s minds. He said quite recently, ‘Do not be giving your money to NGOs because it is not getting in’. They are brilliant organisations but they are controlled by what Israel dictates.”
RISE FOR PALESTINE…MARCH FOR GAZA
Sunday, August 10
2PM
Bishop’s Gate, Derry
“Bring your pots, pans, drums, voices,” Catherine Hutton urged.
