On Saturday last, a vigil was held in Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to officially welcome the “Walk the Petition” walkers into Laois.
The petition walk, which began in Cahersiveen in Kerry had made its way to Laois in the previous days, and crossed the county on foot at the weekend, on its way to Leinster House.
The petition being carried to the Dail, asks for the government to immediately enact the Occupied Territories Bill.
This would mean that Irish law would ban and criminalize trade with and economic support for illegal settlements in territories deemed occupied under international law, most notably Israeli settlements in Israeli-occupied territories.
Walkers, in groups of four, carried the petition into Portlaoise from Roscrea, and then into Newbridge, gathering many signatures and supporters along the way.
The vigil in Portlaoise, received great support from locals, who met to show peaceful solidarity with Palestine.
On the vigil evening, Qasem, a Palestinian man based in Tullamore, thanked the people of Ireland for their ongoing support for Palestine and spoke about how welcome he has always been made feel here in his 25 years living in the country.
Vigil attendees also heard moving performances from singers Gavin Cowley (Car Park Sci-Fi), Jane Hogan, as well as two poems by local Laura Murphy being read.
A young activist from Mountmellick, Cooper Melia Hyland, also read a poem about the children of Gaza, written by Khaled Juma.
Abbeyleix writer Amanda Kelly, who was MC of the vigil, invited all Pro-Palestinian locals to join the Laois Irish Palestinian Support Campaign (IPSC) as new ideas, helpers and members are always welcome.
Laois IPSC can be contacted through social media on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter), as well as by email to info@ipsclaois.ie
Walk the Petition was spearheaded by South Kerry IPSC, including Laois woman Geraldine Rochford, now based in Kerry.
The two days of Laois walks were organised by Laois Palestine’s Emily Durling Barrett, a teacher in CBS Portlaoise, as well as Mountmellick’s Aoife Melia Hyland, who worked tirelessly on route mapping, walker co-ordination, promotion, signage as well as safety patrolling along the route on both days.
This Petition has gained more than 40,000 signatures and can be viewed here.
Check out some pictures from Mostafa Younis below:
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