After a number of organising meetings with TBR23 and Union Aid Abroad activists, the seventh (7th) annual big ride for Palestine commenced at the Baladi coffee cart run by Farah and her partner Anton. Riders set out to do a half river loop a little after 8:30am and returned to the Palestine Fair Trade tent after a tour of the Brisbane River (Maiwar) and environs.
After morning coffee, both Omar Ashour (Falesteen Inc) and Lachlan Hurse (the Big Ride for Palestine) outlined the purpose of the Big Ride to foster good relations among supporters of Palestinians in their struggle of return to their homelands. Vikki Henry spoke about the efforts being made by Labor Friends of Palestine to have the Australian government recognise Palestine as a state under original United Nations agreements. Vikki spoke of the need to have Israel denounced as an apartheid state because of its illegal occupation of Palestine. In this Vikki was supported by David Albuquerque, a long time activist of Justice for Palestine (Meanjin). David added that it takes a combination of religion and a state based on race to make this distinctive Israeli apartheid.
Remah Naji, a Palestinian woman, made these observations of the opening ceremony:
“The Big Ride for Palestine kicked off today with great riders and supporters. You may cycle, run, walk or swim to participate. If you’re thinking of ways to support struggling Palestinian families live in dignity and peace, please consider donating to the Big Ride. Link for donations is [https://ride4palestine.raisely.com/ ].
In the pictures are Yara and Zane looking at the shrinking map of their homeland.”
It was good to ride with people who have supported Palestine for many years. And to listen to the speeches given by Omar Ashour from Falasteen Inc and VickkI Henry from Labor friends of Palestine. As mentioned by Lachlan Hurse it is worthwhile to look up the recently released United Nations Report on Palestine and it’s exposure of the violation of international law by Israel … https://press.un.org/en/2023/gapal1454.doc.htm
During the launch, Ken Davis, from Union Aid Abroad send Lachlan information about APHEDA projects in Palestine and refugee camps in Lebanon that the Big Ride fund raises money for. These include Maan education projects on the West Bank, agricultural projects in Gaza and support for programs organised by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation based in Burj al-Burajnehin refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon.
Since Covid the big ride for Palestine has been Australia wide and a brief look at the leaderboard in the first few days shows the diversity of support from various parts of Australia.
For example Team Shoebridge* had this to say:
“Our team is committed to freedom and justice for Palestine. Our work is in solidarity with the Palestinian people, drawing attention to Israel’s human rights abuses and continued violations of international law in Palestine. Free Palestine.” [David Shoebridge is a Greens senator from New South Wales].
So over the next two weeks (4 -17 September 2023) please register and/or donate to the Big Ride for Palestine (Australia). If you wish to order a Big Ride T-shirt please contact me at the email address below.
A big thank you to Farah and Anton from the Baladi Coffee Cart at 237 Brisbane Corso, Yeronga for their on-going support of the Big Ride for Palestine (Australia).
———————————————
Ian Curr
The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia
thebigrideaustralia@outlook.com
4 September 2023