In Pictures: Laois stands with Palestine through vigil

On Saturday, September 21 a vigil was held in Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise in solidarity with Palestine. 

The event also saw the Laois Palestine Solidarity Campaign officially welcome the “Walk the Petition” walkers into Laois.

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Pictures: Mostafa Younis (@skyline_phographer).

The 'Walk the Petition' campaign is designed to raise awareness of the Enactment of the Occupied Territories Bill, and encourage Irish Government to enact the bill.

This bill would outlaw the trade and economic support of countries illegally occupying other foreign territories, a cause that resonates strongly with advocates for Palestinian rights.

The petition was founded by South Kerry Friends of Palestine, with other Palestinian solidarity groups nationally becoming involved.

Beginning in Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry, volunteers walked the petition on through Roscrea to Portlaoise, and then on to Newbridge. The petition will eventually reach Leinster House.

Volunteers walked in groups of four, handing the petition to a fresh group of volunteers after five to seven kilometres each.

The vigil in Portlaoise, received great support from locals, who met to show peaceful solidarity with Palestine.

The vigil in Portlaoise saw a speech from Qasem, a Palestinian man based in Tullamore, who thanked the people of Ireland for their ongoing support for Palestine.

Vigil attendees also heard moving performances from singers Gavin Cowley (Car Park Sci-Fi), Jane Hogan, as well as two poems read by local Laura Murphy.

A young activist from Mountmellick, Cooper Melia Hyland, also read a poem about the children of Gaza, written by Khaled Juma.

Abbeyleix writer Amanda Kelly, who was MC of the vigil, invited all Pro-Palestinian locals to join the Laois Irish Palestinian Support Campaign (IPSC).Walk the Petition was spearheaded by South Kerry IPSC, including Laois woman Geraldine Rochford, now based in Kerry.

The two days of Laois walks were organised by Laois Palestine trailblazers Emily Durling Barrett, a teacher in CBS Portlaoise, as well as Mountmellick’s Aoife Melia Hyland, who worked tirelessly on route mapping, walker co-ordination, promotion, signage as well as safety patrolling along the route on both days.

Laois IPSC can be contacted through social media on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter), as well as by email to info@ipsclaois.ie