Derry opposes 'Genocide in Gaza' with 'Vigil for Palestine'

The Derry Branch of Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DIPSC) held its annual New Year's Eve Vigil for Palestine in the city. 

The Vigil took place on the Peace Bridge on Sunday afternoon and was attended by upwards of 3,000 people. 

Catherine Hutton, Chairperson of DIPSC described the turnout and the support for the event as “incredible”.

Derry petition urges political boycott of White House St Patrick's Day celebrations

'No Céad Míle Fáilte or drowning the Shamrock with Joe Biden until he stops arming and funding Genocide in Gaza' - Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign

She added: “Around 3000 people filled the bridge and the walkway along the Foyle. There was a sea of Palestinian Flags and banners.

“Sunday’s event was to demand an end to the Genocide in Gaza; demand a ceasefire now; and for our politicians to boycott St. Patrick's Day at the White House in 2024, while the US is arming Israel and refusing to join the massive international pressure for a ceasefire.

“Almost 30,000 Palestinians have been murdered and 60,000 maimed in a relentless 85 days of bombing of Gaza. 

“1.2 million people have been internally displaced, homeless, starving, with no water, no medicines and being ravaged by the cold weather and diseases,” said Ms Hutton, who called for an “intensification of boycott campaigns and solidarity protests”.

Speaking to Derry News following the vigil, Ms Hutton said: “This year’s Vigil is especially important because of the genocide which is being carried out in Gaza.

WATCH: Catherine Hutton (@CaitDoire) speaks to @DerryNow at @ipsc_derry's annual Vigil for Palestine.

"This year’s Vigil is especially important because of the genocide which is being carried out in Gaza." pic.twitter.com/W5iykzxJ4Q

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) January 2, 2024

“We wanted to bring as many people out as possible and just looking at it, I can’t believe the crowd and just the love and the support and the solidarity with the Palestinians. 

“We have to keep on going and this year, coming into 2024, we are just going to ramp this up and make sure we get people out on the streets and really push the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and just try and get people out there and helping and joining in with everything we organise,” said Ms Hutton.

Ms Hutton also announced that DIPSC would be holding a march as part of the Global Day of Action for Gaza on Saturday January 13, at 12pm starting from the Waterside train station and finishing with a rally in Guildhall Square.

Aisling Breslin (Walls), who teaches in Crana College, told Derry News she was attending the Vigil because she believed Palestine should be free.

WATCH: @cranacollege teacher, Aisling Breslin, speaks to @DerryNow at @ipsc_derry's annual Vigil for Palestine.

"We have to stand up for those people who don’t have any power or any food or any electricity and they are being murdered." pic.twitter.com/qOS7jRJ7qS

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) January 2, 2024

“We live in Northern Ireland and we know what it is like to be occupied by another state,” added Ms Breslin. 

“I want to show my children that it is so important to stand up for the rights of the oppressed. There are many children who have been killed in Palestine. 

“We have done every march. The most emotional was when there were children holding up photos of the children who were murdered by the Israeli occupiers.

“I just think it is so important to show our solidarity with those people because we have children so how can we let this happen. We can’t let it happen any more. We have to stand up for those people who don’t have any power or any food or any electricity and they are being murdered,” said Ms Breslin.

Maeve McLaughlin, director of the Bloody Sunday Trust told Derry News she and her colleagues had joined the Vigil because historically, the cause of Palestine had been long associated with the cause of Ireland.

WATCH: Maeve McLaughlin (@MaeveMcLaughli1), Director of Derry's Bloody Sunday Trust (@BloodySundayT) speaks to @DerryNow at @ipsc_derry's annual Vigil for Palestine.

"Palestine needs its national self determination and a ceasefire needs to be in place immediately." pic.twitter.com/3foWNcinSL

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) January 2, 2024

She added: “There has been a strong link between the two struggles, in Ireland and Palestine. 

“However, having said that, what people have seen since October 7 has been complete genocide. 

“The Bloody Sunday Trust has its own story about injustice and inequality and ultimately conflict transformation.

“We have aligned ourselves with the Palestinian people on this issue, to ensure we can do what we can do in relation to raising money for medical relief in Palestine and also the important message that Palestine needs its national self determination and a ceasefire needs to be in place immediately,” said Ms McLaughlin.

Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Shaun Harkin (People before Profit) said people were attending the Vigil for Palestine in “the biggest numbers we have ever seen” because of the “ongoing slaughter, genocide, the war that is happening in Gaza”.

WATCH: Derry City and Strabane District (@dcsdcouncil) councillor, Shaun Harkin (@shaunharkin17 ) speaks to @DerryNow at @ipsc_derry's Vigil for Palestine.

"Israel continues with full support of US Govt, continuing to supply ammunition, bombs & pay for Israeli slaughter." pic.twitter.com/1s4SA5HrAx

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) January 2, 2024

Cllr Harkin told Derry News: “People will know that 21,000 people or more, maybe a lot more have been killed - 11,000 children. Israel’s slaughter is just relentless.

“The World spoke and the World said, ‘Ceasefire now. We want an end to this. We want an end to the slaughter’.

“Unfortunately, Israel is continuing and they are continuing with the full support of the United States Government, who are continuing to supply ammunition, bombs and paying for the Israeli slaughter.

“So, I think this sends a message of solidarity to Palestine. But, it also sends a message to those governments that are complicit in this slaughter.

“I am very proud to be from Derry and the North West that there are so many people here today in solidarity. It is absolutely fantastic. People are not forgetting about Palestine over the holidays,” said Cllr Harkin.

Irish National Teachers’ Organisation member, Daisy Mules, said she was attending the Vigil in support of Gaza and in support of Palestinians throughout the Middle East.

WATCH: Derry's Daisy Mules (@INTOnews @INTO_NI) speaks to @DerryNow at @ipsc_derry Vigil for Palestine.

"It is shocking what the US and the UK are doing in terms of their complicity. Complicity in genocide is horrendous." pic.twitter.com/aa7HoaVJhJ

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) January 2, 2024

“What is happening is genocide,” said Ms Mules. “It is murder, in my opinion.

“I am here to just provide solidarity. There is so little we can do and I find that quite depressing. The whole scenario is heartbreaking. 

“So, I am just here to show solidarity and hope we put some pressure with all this solidarity on our various governments throughout the world. 

“It is shocking what the US and the UK are doing in terms of their complicity. Complicity in genocide is horrendous,” said Ms Mules.

Also present at Sunday’s Vigil for Palestine was Gearalt Ó Mianáin from Derry’s Na Magha Hurling and Camogie Club, who said: “Tá mé anseo le tacaíocht a léiriú  do muintir na Phalaistín agus do na Páistí. Tá mé anseo le m'iníon féin, Laoise, atá seacht blaina d'aois.Agus an sléacht atá a dhéanamh ar muintir an Phalaistín go háirithe na páistí  na gasúr agus na girseach óga agus níl ceart ar bith acu.

WATCH: Gearalt Ó Mianáin (@NaMaghaCLG) speaks to @DerryNow at @ipsc_derry Vigil.

"Tá mé anseo le m'iníon féin, Laoise, atá 7 blaina d'aois & an sléacht atá a dhéanamh ar muintir an Phalaistín go háirithe na páistí na gasúr & na girseach óga & níl ceart ar bith acu." pic.twitter.com/H6nL1ql5nh

— Derry Now (@DerryNow) January 2, 2024

“Agus, is léir go bhfuil chuid mhór den domhain anois ag sheasamh suas agus ag rá in aghaidh an scrios agus an cinedhíothú ar mhuintir na Phalaistín.

“Ní thig le daoine sheasamh síos agus lig do seo lean ar aghaidh.

“Is cuma cén tír, is cuma cén creideamh- caithfidh daoine seasamh suas agus labhairt amach in éadan Rialtas Shasanach, Rialtas na Stáit Aontaithe agus na daoine seo uilig atá ag tabhairt tacaíocht do na daoine seo atá ag dhéanamh sléacht ar mhuintir na Phalaistín.

Tá mé anseo le tacaíocht a léiriú do mhuintir na Phalaistín agus leanfaimid ar aghaidh go dtí go mbeidh saoirse acu agus cuirtear stop ar an sléacht atá ar siúl ansin,” duirt Gearalt Ó Mianáin.

Here is an English translation of Gearalt Ó Mianáin’s interview: “I'm here today to show support to the People of Palestine and for the children, I am with my own Daughter Laoise, who is 7 years old and [We are standing up against] The attack that is happening on the population of Palestine (especially the children- the young boys and girls) and who have no rights.

“It is clear that the world is now standing up against this destruction and genocide that is happening to the people of Palestine.

“People cannot continue to stand down [or ignore] what is happening and let this continue.

“It doesn't matter what country you're from or religion you believe in- people need to stand up and speak up against the English Government and the US Government and all of these people who are supporting the people who are attacking the Palestinian People.

“I am here to show support for the People of Palestine and we will continue until they have their freedom and a stop is put to this attack.”