Derry protests in response to the detention of Irish Citizens on Global Sumud flotilla

The Derry - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DIPSC) has organised and Emergency Rally in response to the detention of Irish Citizens on the global flotilla sailing to Gaza with himanitarian aid - the Global Sumud flotilla.

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The rally will take place tonight (Thursday) at 5.30pm in Derry's Guildhall Square.

Speaking to The Derry News, Cllr Shaun Harkin (PBP) said: Across Ireland and globally, we are going on the streets for Gaza and to protect the flotilla. It's imperative that we march, occupy, walkout and disrupt business as usual.

"The global flotilla sailing to Gaza with humanitarian aid is under direct attack by Israeli military forces. 

"We demand Westminster, Stormont and the Dáil act urgently to ensure the safety of all flotilla members, ensure its safe passage to Gaza and force Israel through sanctions to end its genocidal campaign.

"The US/Israeli 'peace plan' welcomed by Keir Starmer and Micheál Martin is a hypocritical war plan to continue the annihilation of the Palestinian people. Our government's lack the will to face down Israeli barbarism because they are committees for ruling classes benefiting from apartheid, occupation and genocide. Their complicity can only be broken by grassroots people power action.

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"Across Ireland and globally, we are going on the streets for Gaza and to protect the flotilla. It's imperative that we march, occupy, walkout and disrupt business as usual," said Cllr Harkin.

He added: "The genuine movement for real peace are all those taking action to stop Israeli brutality. This is the movement the British government has sought to silence through criminalisation.

"The suffering of Gaza is indescribable. The flotilla represents the will of humanity, for the genocide to end."

Derry's RISE for Palestine organisation held a "small and peaceful demonstration" at BBC Radio Foyle.

A spokesperson for the group said: "We gathered to share our deep concern at government inaction in protecting its citizens on the Global Sumud Flotilla and to call out the silence of the BBC in the face of an unfolding international catastrophe. The response we received was wholly dispoportionate to our peaceful presence."

Protest @BBCRadioFoyle 8am this morning in support of the activists kidnapped by @IDF on the #GlobalSumudFlotilla
.@FranckMagennis @dublinactivist pic.twitter.com/a5q7oxGSQc

— RISE 4 Palestine Derry (@Rise4Pal_Derry) October 2, 2025

In a statement issued after the event, RISE for Palestine said: "This morning a small and peaceful protest took place outside BBC Radio Foyle. Around a dozen people - including local professionals on their way to work and elderly citizens - gathered to call on BBC journalists to report honestly and sincerely on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and on the attacks and interception of the Sumud Flotilla.

"Despite the quiet and respectful nature of the demonstration, the response was wholly disproportinate. Two police cars were despatched to move on this small group of concerned citizens, whose only aim was to raise their voices for truth and accountability.

"Many of those present were visable distressed - not only bu the heavy-handed police response but also by their concern for the safety of activist aboard the flotilla, several of whom are Irish and British citizens.

"We call on local police to exercise commonsense and comapssion in their approach to policing peaceful protest. And to challenge their own values, the role they are being asked to play in disrupting our democratic right to protest.

"We reiterate our call for the BBC to reflect its duty to the public by reporting fairly, fully, and truthfully on these urgent matters of international concern."