Three Laois events on the way to support Gaza and Palestine
Portlaoise and Portarlington to host public rally and a seven hour concert
Laois people concerned about the genocide in Gaza can support two events on the weekend of June 21 and 22, followed by another in July.
A rally will take place on Saturday, June 21 in Portlaoise followed by a Gig for Gaza in Portarlington on Sunday, both organised by the Laois branch of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The Free Palestine Midlands Rally will meet at Laois County Council plaza in Portlaoise at 1pm on Saturday. Goers are invited to "bring your signs, your spirit, and your support".
The next day, six Laois musical acts are giving their time free for the fundraising Gig For Gaza at the Anvil Inn, Portarlington on Sunday, June 21.
Dopamine who will perform at Gig for Gaza Portarlington.
Then on Saturday morning, July 12 from 10am to 2pm, Laois IPSC will hold a Coffee Morning in Portlaoise Parish Centre. All proceeds of that will go to GAA Palestine.
Faith Quille and Danielle Lawlor, members of Laois IPSC spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"Now more than ever, the people of Palestine need our solidarity, not just in words but in action. We're calling on everyone in Laois and surrounding counties to stand up and be counted by supporting any of all of these three events. Your presence matters. Your voice matters. Together let's show that Laois stands for justice, peace and humanity," Faith said.
Danielle spoke about Gig For Gaza Portarlington.
"It is a fundraiser for Palestine Aid who have bought a bus and are converting it into a mobile maternity unit. As a mother, I know the fears, hopes, and fierce love that come with bringing a child into this world. I remember the anxiety of each pregnancy appointment, the relief of hearing a healthy heartbeat, and the comfort of knowing help was just a phone call away. But for mothers in Gaza, that safety net is gone.
"Hospitals have been bombed. Ambulances have been targeted. Women are giving birth in tents, in rubble, in fear. With no clean water, no pain relief, no doctors—and often, no surviving family left to support them.
Read also: Laois nurse joins global March to Gaza
"I cannot stand by and do nothing. This is why we are raising funds for a mobile maternity unit for Gaza. It's a lifeline, bringing medical care to mothers who would otherwise be left with nothing. It means clean tools, skilled hands, safe births. It means dignity. It means hope. Every donation makes a difference. Let’s stand with the mothers of Gaza. Let’s show them love in action," she said.
Pregnant women in Gaza are suffering severe malnutrition and anaemia, giving birth in tents or via phone-guidance. Israel’s siege has blocked all medical aid. Despite this, 67,000 births have occurred since October. The mobile maternity unit aims to allow birthing mothers to deliver their babies in a safe clean sterile environment. Utilising fully qualified medical staff, the mobile clinic will be used to support the Gazan Health Ministry.