As thousands march through the streets of Derry and millions march worldwide in solidarity with the Palestinian people, The Bloody Sunday Trust is hosting Palestine: What Can Derry Do? at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin on Saturday 27th January, 1.00pm – 4.00pm. The event is part of the 2024 commemoration of Bloody Sunday.
Speaking prior to the event Chairperson of the Bloody Sunday Trust, Tony Doherty, who will chair the event, said:
This discussion has been organised in response to the sense of frustration, hopelessness and despair many of us feel as we watch the Israeli genocide on Gaza. As we march in solidarity with Gaza, and follow the lead of the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) movement I, and I am sure many other Derry people, are asking, ‘What else can we do? What can Derry do to help Palestine and the Palestinian people?’
This event will help us answer that question and encourage us to develop practical and impactful actions that we can all do to show our support for Palestine.” The event will consist of a panel discussion, workshops and Q&A sessions.
Guest speakers include:
Omar Barghouti, Palestinian human rights activist, winner of the 2017 Gandhi Peace Award and co-founder of the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions ( BDS) Campaign.
Sue Pentel, a founder member of Jews for Palestine – Ireland and a long-term member of the Irish Palestinian Solidarity Group, Belfast.
Catherine Hutton, a member of the Derry Branch of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Éamonn Meehan, Chair of Sadaka – the Ireland Palestine Alliance and a former CEO of Trócaire.
NOTES
- Éamonn Meehan is Chair of Sadaka – the Ireland Palestine Alliance and a former CEO of Trócaire. “Sadaka was established in 2009 and works to promote policies and actions, particularly by the Irish government, to achieve justice and human rights for the Palestinian people. Sadaka drafted and, with others, promoted the Occupied Territories Bill within Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann. Sadaka is a founding member of the Irish Anti-apartheid Campaign for Palestine.”
- Sue Pentel is a founder member of Jews for Palestine – Ireland, “a diverse groups of Jewish people in Ireland who support the Palestinian struggle for human rights and justice, a struggle that resonates with the Irish journey towards peace. We share a commitment to human rights and justice for all. Jews for Palestine oppose the cynical deployment of the anti-Semitic label, and the history of the oppression of the Jewish people, to silence those who legitimately criticise Israel. Part of the long historical Jewish tradition of fighting oppression and standing up for peace and justice for all, advocating for an end to Israeli impunity and support for the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Movement as called for by Palestinian civil society. The State of Israel does not represent the Jewish people. We have an obligation to speak out when Israel claims its actions against the Palestinian people are taken on behalf of the Jewish people. Not in our name!”
- Omar Barghouti is a Palestinian human rights activist, winner of the 2017 Gandhi Peace Award and co-founder of the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign.
- Catherine Hutton is a member of the Derry Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, formed in 2016. “Since then we have campaigned for the civil & human rights of Palestinians, an end to Israeli apartheid and the right of return of refugees to Palestine. The group has been the driving force behind the impressive displays of solidarity with Palestine that Derry has witnessed since the beginning of the Gaza Genocide.”
