Grannies for Gaza gathering in Portlaoise

A BLANKET called ‘Grannies for Gaza’ was the centrepiece of a demonstration in Portlaoise on Saturday, when more than 40 volunteers gathered for what they described as ‘a moving act of craftivism’.

The 40-metre handmade crocheted and knitted blanket was unfurled outside SS Peter and Paul’s parish church, in a bid to highlight ongoing devastation in Gaza.

The event was organised by Laois IPSC (Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign), as part of their continuing efforts to raise awareness locally and nationally about the crisis in Palestine.

Created by Dublin-based craftivist group Kro Shay Away and their team of volunteers, the blanket is composed of thousands of individual granny squares. Each square represents ten children’s lives lost in Gaza.

Organisers said that the blanket is ‘a powerful and sobering visual reminder’ of the scale of innocent lives cut short.

Despite dark grey skies the rain held off, allowing the blanket to be unrolled to its full length. The sight stopped passers-by in their tracks, sparking reflection and conversation on the human cost of the ongoing violence.

Speaking after the event, organisers emphasised the importance of art and collective action in shining a light on injustices too often ignored.

They said in a statement: ‘Unfortunately, this project is a work in progress as Israel kills a classroom size of children each day in Palestine. Ireland must ensure that it is not complicit in this genocide by enacting the Occupied Territories Bill, removing all mutations planes from Irish airspace/airports, as well as maintaining the triple lock.’ 

Kro Shay Away are looking for crafters who can donate more squares to be added to the blanket and can be contacted online.

For information on upcoming events, Laois IPSC can be contacted via Instagram or by email at info@ipsclaois.ie.