Write a comment
Palestine activists across Armagh and beyond have arranged a protest march over the 25 mile route from Lurgan to Newry on 7 June to express their outrage at Israel's ongoing actions in Gaza. The distance is symbolic of the length of Gaza.
Aghast at the news of imminent mass imposed-starvation the organisers are focusing the protest on the complicity of our own and other western governments. All are welcome to join the march, or even just part of it.
Taking place on Saturday 7 June the march begins in Lurgan at 8.30am and travelling via the Newry Canal towpath to Newry where it is expected to arrive around 7pm for a rally at Newry Town Hall then rest at Finegan & Son’s Café.
The protesters have listed their demands as:
- Immediate diplomatic and economic sanctions on the Zionist state
- US warplanes out of Belfast & Shannon
- Invest NI to stop funding complicit companies and arms manufacturers
- Enact BDS in state procurement processes
Commenting on the event IPSC Newry Chairperson Marc Mac Seáin said: “With the news of tens of thousands of infants facing acute starvation, imposed by intentional blockade, it’s beyond time to reckon with our own countries complicity beyond rhetorical support. We help as a minor partner facilitate the Zionist genocide in a variety of ways. The free state was the second biggest buyer of Israeli goods in 2024, a horrid statistic. The free state central bank also facilitates the sale of bloody Israeli war-bonds throughout Europe. Invest NI grants money to firms complicit militarily in the genocide, still. Britain’s Labour government has transferred more military equipment to Israel in the last 3 months than all the previous Tory aid over this genocidal ‘war’. Most glaringly of all, warplanes carry bombs & weapons through our airspace and pitstop in both Shannon & Aldergrove airports. We must sanction Israel immediately and stop the arms trade to them to see results, and force other countries to do the same.”
The march might possibly travel onwards from Newry to Omeath, with a potential shuttle bus back. Updates will be forthcoming.
The march route with approximate times
Lurgan: 8.30am
Bleary: 10.30am
Moneypenny’s Level Crossing: 12pm
Scarva: 2.30pm
Poyntzpass: 3.40pm
Jerretspass: 5.25pm
Newry: 7.15pm
For more information you can email newry@ipsc.ie
