At a time of Death, Famine, War, Invasion and Siege, and Palestinian resistance, forty (40) riders from Brisbane (Meanjin) and surrounds came together to express their solidarity with the people of Gaza. One of the organisers, Lachlan Hurse, had this to say about the occasion:
Over forty riders joined the Emergency Ride for Gaza held in Brisbane on 17 December raising more than $4400 for the Gaza Appeal being run by Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA in support of the Ma’an Development Centre.
Despite the heat, riders rode the River Loop around the Brisbane River, wearing the Palestinian colours, jerseys and tee-shirts unequivocally showing their support for a Free Palestine and an end to the genocidal violence being perpetrated by Israel on the people of Gaza.
The finale was a children’s ride across a nearby park, where participating riders enthusiastically chanted along the way.
Following the ride, the gathering heard from Omar Ashour, from Falesteen Inc., the local Palestinian community organisation and Rhonda Kelly from Labor Friends of Palestine calling for a ceasefire and strong action against Israel. Justice for Palestine Meanjin also held an information stall.
At the end of the ride we were pleasantly surprised by a unplanned visit from Izzat Abdulhadi, the Palestinian Ambassador in Australia, who answered questions about the situation in Palestine.
Thanks to Baladi Coffee Cart for their support.
Donations are still being accepted at: https://emergency-ride-for-gaza.raisely.com/