Rally in Portlaoise hears calls for peace in Palestine
A section of the crowd who took part in the peace rally in Portlaoise on Saturday. Photo: Laois IPSC
UP to 250 people gathered at a peace rally in Portlaoise on Saturday in a show of support and solidarity and called for peace, justice and freedom for the people of Palestine.
The event, which started out from the Civic Plaza at Laois County Council offices, was organised by the Laois and Carlow branches of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The rally took the large crowd around the town carrying placards, banners and flags displaying signs such as ‘Arms embargo on Israel now’ – ‘End the Genocide’ – Free Gaza’ – ‘Pass the Occupied Territories Bill, Now’ – ‘Stop Bombing Schools.’
The campaigners then gathered back at the bandstand in the civic plaza to hear musicians Ned Byrne and Jimi Cullen and speakers Dr. Qasem and Ammar Salah convey their experiences of what it’s like in Palestine and called for continued solidarity with the people in Palestine.
Chairperson of the Laois branch of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Emily Durling Barrett thanked everyone who had turned up in a show of solidarity and urged everyone to continue and redouble their efforts in calling for peace in Palestine.
The following day Sunday 22 June, local musicians organised a fundraising seven-hour ‘Gig for Gaza’ in the Anvil Inn, Portarlington. Bands and artists that performed include Dopamine, Peter Mac, Cooper Brerton, Half The Truth, The Electrix Unplugged and Bailey.
