Newry / Armagh / Down: Establishment of new IPSC branch

Last weekend saw a protest in Newry in support of the besieged people of Gaza. The protest took place at a number of venues around Newry outside shopping and market areas.

“Little more than a year ago the Army of the state of Israel invaded the small area of Gaza and killed over 1400 men women and children. They have been surrounded since and under siege, unable to leave. They have had to resort to tunnelling into Egypt and smuggling basic food stuffs and medicines. We just thought that we had to start a campaign to remind people locally of their plight” said Patsy Doyle, who organised the protest.

“I have been in contact with the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) in Dublin and have their support in developing a branch of the IPSC and we thought that this would be our first event to set off that process.

“There has been a successful campaign by a multinational convoy to bring food, medicines and building materials into Gaza and despite opposition from the Israeli government, and violence from the Egyptian authorities, over Christmas they brought the convoy into Gaza.

“I feel that this has raised the campaign for freedom for Palestine to a new level, and the people of Ireland, who have always been supporters of smaller oppressed nations, will come to the aid of the besieged people of Palestine.”

Patsy continued, “John Hurson, Tyrone man recently travelled on the recent convoy which broke the siege of Gaza, and we will be inviting him to Newry to speak to us on his experiences on the historic breakthrough. While he was there, he help set up the first Gaza Gaelic Football Team. He brought nets shirts balls and other sports equipment. There will be people from the Dublin organisation of IPSC, and we hope to formally launch the Newry, Armagh and Down Branch of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign at that venue.”

Patsy stated,” I know that there always been groups of people of differing political parties and people of none who have been supportive of this sort of campaign, and I feel that there is a number of people who would want to come forward and do whatever they can and help the people of Palestine achieve freedom peace and justice.

People can contact me on my home phone number, 028 30888690, or e-mail patsym@f2s.com for further details of joining with us or details of our inaugural meeting.