Week of solidarity events marking two years of Gaza genocide

The Derry organisation RISE for Palestine is holding a ‘Rise Up For Gaza’ rally as part of the International Day of Action marking two years of genocide there.

The rally, part of a week of solidarity events, will assemble at the Waterside train station at 1.00pm on Saturday, October 4 before making its way to Guildhall Square.

Speaking to The Derry News, RISE for Palestine co-founder, Catherine Hutton, said rallies were “a good way of reaching people and raising awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza”.

“What I wanted to highlight about our ‘Rise Up For Gaza’ rally is that it is going to be a silent march because it is in mourning for all the people who have lost their lives and are still suffering in Gaza.

“It is also silent because we wanted to make a point about the complicity of silence in the media, within government, within civil society as a whole. There seems to be an off switch when it comes to Gaza.

“The rally will be led by a lone drummer keeping a beat but when we were planning it we thought, we’ve done all the shouting and roaring, we’ve done the pots and pans, we need to try and make it solemn. We want the silence to speak for itself, if you like, but we want to make the silence loud.

“We are also asking people taking part in ‘Rise Up For Gaza’ to wear black as a sign of respect.

“We will be joined on Saturday by Mothers Against Genocide, whose members are bringing their pillow babies to represent the lost lives of the children in Gaza. We are also hoping to do a die-in on Shipquay Street but that will very much depend on the weather on the day.”

The speakers in Guildhall Square will include Ciara Hawkins of Mothers Against Genocide and a Plaestinain journalist who lives in Belfast. There will also be music.

“With ‘‘Rise Up For Gaza’, I know people are feeling angry but we want to keep in mind the humanity, the people and the lives that have been lost in Gaza in the past two years. It could be very easy to lose sight of that considering the statistics being churned out every day,” said Ms Hutton, who added everyone was very welcome at Saturday’s rally.

RISE Up for Palestine’s full programme of events for its week of solidarity includes Blood, Sweat and Tears: Gym and Family Funday (Sunday, October 5), hosted by Gareth McGonagle at Transition Training Studio, in Springtown, from 12 noon. This is a fundraising fitness event suitable for all abilities, combined with family fun.

On Monday (October 6) there is a Tatreez Workshop in the Gasyard Centre at 2pm, which will be an opportunity to learn the traditional Palestinian art of embroidery in this creative and cultural workshop. There is a £10 minimum booking and donations are welcome.

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On October 7, RISE Up for Palestine is calling on people to ‘Reject the Timeline’ and observe an all-day digital blackout to reject the narrative that the conflict began on October 7, 2023.

“One of our main events this week is the ‘Her Name was Hind’ art installation and vigil at Free Derry Corner on October 8,” said Ms Hutton. “It is a powerful installation and space for reflection to honour the memory of Hind and all lives lost. This event will go on all day.

“And on October 11, our Solidarity Souk will take place in the main hall of the Guildhall, from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. It will be a vibrant market of music, culture, crafts, and community – celebrating resilience and solidarity.

“Throughout the week, additional educational events and workshops will take place, deepening understanding and strengthening solidarity with Palestine.”