Defend Gaza - Defend Palestine
Watch this space
for the next London demo...........
The Big Ride for Palestine bloc has joined marches in London for Palestine and for a ceasefire as well as supporting local protests throughout the country and organising rides for Gaza and Palestine
Join us again on the next London march as well as on demos and rides near you
What we stand for
The Big Ride for Palestine raises awareness of the systematic violation of Palestinian human rights and fundraises for the Middle East Children's Alliance and other projects on the ground such as the Gaza Sunbirds.
The ongoing Nakba began in 1948 when around 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes - many ending up in refugee camps in Gaza and the West Bank. Since then, the Israeli state has conducted a systematic persecution of Palestinians. This includes numerous deadly assaults on Gaza, under siege since 2007, and the illegal occupation of the West Bank with the massive growth of violent illegal settlements. Human rights organisations including B'tselem, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have declared Israel to be an apartheid state.
We are now witnessing the barbarous genocide that Israel is unleashing on Gaza with mounting horror and disbelief.
While we are against the killing of all civilians, Gaza has now been called 'a graveyard for children' and the situation described as 'catastrophic' by the UN. The former UN High Commissioner on Human Rights has resigned, referring to the attack on Gaza as genocide.
Numerous violations of international law have been cited as taking place from the start of the assault on Gaza. This includes the denial of the means to life such as water, food, electricity and fuel. The bombing of 'safe places' such as schools and hospitals as well as refugee camps and residential districts is illegal and violates any moral principals. The forced eviction of Palestinians from the north of Gaza becomes more devastating by the day and the depth of the destruction in both north and south Gaza is unfathomable. These outrages are barely commented on by US and UK leaders, though they are plain to see.
The complicity of our political leaders and their apparent willingness to be party to a genocide is deeply shocking.
They do not reflect the views of the majority though and it is up to us to make our voices heard. This sends a message to politicians but, as importantly, it shows people in Palestine that they are not alone.
Hundreds of thousands of us in the UK and
millions across the world have taken to the streets to express our outrage and call for a ceasefire.
Rides for Gaza and Palestine
We have had regular Rides for Gaza and Rides for Palestine since the bombing of Gaza began.
Check out our Instagram here for details of our rides,
On the weekend of 4-5 November 400-500 cyclists across 6 cities took part in our first 'Ride for Gaza'. Together we rode in London and Bristol, in Birmingham, Sheffield, Swindon and Manchester. Everywhere we went we called for a 'Free Palestine' and a 'Ceasefire Now!' People along the way called out and clapped their approval, chanting with us from doorsteps and streets along the route. When we joined other protests we were welcomed enthusiastically - everyone loves to see us ride in with our bikes, flags and Palestine tops.
Many of our riders were first (but not last!) timers to The Big Ride experience.
Our second 'Ride for Gaza' weekend was 18/19 November when we rode again connecting with local communities and actions.
Our third 'Ride for Gaza' and Palestine was on 2/3 December when we road again in the ice and snow in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Swindon.
We rode for the fourth time on Saturday 16 December in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Sheffield - connecting up once more with just a few of the hundreds of local protests happening throughout the country on this day of action.
Again we rode on 30 December (Bristol), and for the first time on 6/7 January 2024 in Belfast and Reading as well as in London and Swindon.
On 20 January we had rides in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hastings, London and Sheffield, joining rides in many other countries as part of the Gaza Sunbirds 'Great Ride of Return'.
And again, on February 10, 8 cities in the UK joined 40 other cities internationally riding as part of the Great Ride of Return.
MECA and Gaza Sunbirds
Gaza 'Survival on luck and collective spirit'
Some members of The Big Ride team attended a recent MECA webinar. Because of the rapid and horrific attacks in the north, this information is now out of date.
People in Gaza say 'every day' it's the worst day. Volunteers and workers on the ground risk their lives distributing what aid they can find but still they do it because of the immense solidarity between people.
One contact had previously remained in Gaza City and not evacuated because 'Why would I move'. People want to hold onto everything they have built. Her right, her home. Where is safety? A friend evacuated and was killed with 4 children the day before the webinar. There is no dignity where people flee to, so some returned to Gaza City because they would rather die in their own homes. We do not know what has happened to these people in the bombing and forced evacuation from Gaza City.
MECA have a network of 9 community organisations in Gaza delivering food parcels (152,000+ people reached) and hygiene kits inc soap, nappies and sanitary supplies. They distribute blankets. People flee with nothing. They have tried to give some emergency fuel to hospitals & medical supplies if available. MECA have already purchased an ambulance and have bought another ICU ambulance from Egypt which they are hoping to get into Gaza. Support the MECA Gaza Emergency Fundraiser here.
On the ground in Gaza
No longer able to train for 2024 Paraylmpics, the Gaza Sunbirds have been active in their communities in Gaza, risking their lives to distribute vital food and aid parcels
See the Gaza Sunbirds stories on Instagram
See the brilliant interview on the BBC by Karim co-founder of the Gaza Sunbirds talking about the situation and the work on the ground by the Sunbirds in Gaza.
Support their 'Emergency Aid for Gaza' fundraiser here
