Benefit Gig for Free Gaza Ireland

cork | anti-war / imperialism | event notice Sunday October 11, 2009 13:27 by Paul McAndrew

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The rapper/poet of mixed Arab and British descent has been dubbed as "one of the best lyricists in the Western Hemisphere" by Benjamin Zephaniah as a solo artist. Lowkey is also lead vocalist of Mongrel - made up of members of the Arctic Monkeys, Babyshambles and Reverend and the Makers. __________________________________

FREE GAZA IRELAND TO SEND “IRISH BOAT” TO GAZA
'TURNING MILITARY VESSELS INTO PEACE BOATS'

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME TO IRELAND...

. LOWKEY . AMAZING RAPPER, POLITICAL POET, ACTIVIST & PLAYWRIGHT
14TH OCTOBER - WED CORK @ AN SPAILPIN FANAC, CORK @ 9PM

FREE GAZA IRELAND TO SEND “IRISH BOAT” TO GAZA
The Free Gaza Movement have secured a boat to sail from Ireland in the next month,
it will join up with a cargo boat to bring in desperately needed rebuilding materials into
Gaza port, along with supplies for our partners in the Universities and schools
as part of “Right to Read” campaign (see www.freegaza.org).

The Irish boat, previously a military vessel has been converted to a recording studio & radio station
and will bring in a generator for the hospital. On board will be several members of the Dail, journalists,
and other dignitaries along with Irish muscians who will perform in Gaza with local artists as part of a series
of cultural events linking up with Ireland.
Palestinian artists are going to use the recording studio so their talent & message can be shared with the outside world.
We are inviting Irish & international artist to become involved with this cultural exchange to promote peace &
non violent resistance with Palestinian's under siege in Gaza.

Caoimhe Butterly, renowned Irish human rights campaigner and Gaza Project Co-coordinator for the Free Gaza Movement stated that:
“Our delegations have been deeply shocked by the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Israel’s ongoing occupation and the
severity of the siege on Gaza is designed to isolate people as well as devastate the infrastructure of Gaza.
Free Gaza's mission is a reminder of not only the efficacy of using non-violent direct action to confront injustice, but also of the
deafening silence of the international community.”

It is crucial that we continue sending boats to Gaza to challenge Israel’s criminal closure on the Strip,”
said Huwaida Arraf, delegation leader. “Gaza does not need our charity but needs us to stand up
against the forces that continue to deliberately deny an entire people their human rights & their right
to rebuild their lives, homes, schools & workplace"
Even though Israel hijacked our boat, the Spirit of Humanity in international waters, we are not backing down.
Since August last year the Free Gaza Movement have organized 8 voyages to Gaza successfully
arriving in the port of Gaza on 5 occasions, ours are the first international ship to sail to Gaza since 1967."

International donors pledged over $4 billion to rebuild Gaza, and yet none of them are doing anything
about the fact that Israel is not allowing any building supplies into Gaza, not to mention paper, school books
and thousands of other items so support for the sea route is vital so they can start repairs before the harsh winter comes.

The Free Gaza Movement calls upon the international community to join the movement's efforts to help
end the human suffering created by Israeli's strangulation of Gaza.
We urge governments, non-governmental organizations and civilians to
provide ships, materials and humanitarian aid and join us in asserting
the right of the Palestinian people to have access to the outside world:
that we will not stay silent as the Palestinian people are deliberately starved and humiliated;
that Palestinians have a right to life with dignity.

For more information contact -
Niamh Moloughney
Irish Free Gaza Coordinator
niamh@freegaza.org
www.freegaza.org
091 472279/085 7747257