Blog for Palestine By Tess Griffin
Since October 2023, Swindon Palestine Solidarity (SPS) has been passionately advocating for Palestinian rights, hosting a variety of impactful events to raise both awareness and funds. Our efforts this year have encompassed everything from protests and panel discussions to heartfelt film screenings and community fundraisers, all with a unified goal: to stand in solidarity with Palestinians and make a tangible difference.
A significant part of our advocacy has been organising protests, with 24 planned demonstrations throughout the year. These gatherings have served as vital platforms to voice our concerns over the ongoing injustices faced by Palestinians. In addition to planned protests, we’ve also mobilised two emergency protests, one outside the Labour Gala Dinner and another at Buckland’s office and the BBC, under the theme “Rafa is Burning.” These events allowed us to respond swiftly to urgent crises, demonstrating our commitment to raising awareness at critical moments.
SPS has also worked hard to engage the Swindon community through a series of emotional and educational events. This year, we hosted three impactful movie nights, featuring the films “The Present,” “Mayor,” and “Where Olive Trees Weep.” Each film offered a poignant look at Palestinian life and struggles, fostering powerful post-screening discussions. We also organised a panel discussion with local Palestinians, offering a rare opportunity for attendees to hear personal stories and gain a deeper understanding of Palestinian issues.
Our fundraising efforts have been both successful and heartfelt. We held two Masjid Bazaars that raised over £1,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), uniting the community in support of a vital cause. Additionally, our charity dinners brought together members and supporters, with an Iftar event raising £6,000 for “Step by Step for Gaza Strip,” a grassroots charity providing meals to those in need. Another highlight was our Charity Gala Dinner, featuring Ahmed AlNaouq, which raised £3,500 for MAP, helping fund essential medical support in Palestine.
One particularly meaningful initiative was our Palestine in the Park (PiP) event. Swindon community and beyond came to Farringdon park to celebrate the Palestinian culture and heritage. We had an arts gallery displaying arts from Leila AlKassab from Gaza, we flew kites in memory of Refaat Alareer, had local artists perform on stage as well as guests like Speit, Ramzy Baroud, Ahmed ALnaouq, David Miller. We closed the event with a Dabke band. On the day we also raised £5,020 raised was to build a well in Gaza, offering a sustainable source of water to local communities in Al Mawasi refugee camps where over 2000 families are displaced. Altogether, SPS has raised over £15,000 for Palestine this year, showcasing the generosity and commitment of our supporters.
Looking forward, SPS remains dedicated to organising events that amplify Palestinian voices, foster solidarity, and support vital aid efforts. Together, we continue to stand with the people of Palestine, working for a future of peace and justice.