Hundreds take to the streets of Cork to march for peace in Palestine

HUNDREDS of people took to the streets of Cork city once again on Saturday to show solidarity with the people of Palestine as Israel’s military offensive on Gaza ravages on.

The march and rally, which marked the 24th such event in as many weeks, centred on the theme of anti-racism as Thursday marked ‘International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’.

Organised by the Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign (CPSC), the event featured speakers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Irish Travelling Community, who spoke about their experiences of racism and shared their solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing war.

Speaking ahead of the protest, Socialist Party councillor for the city’s North West ward, Brian McCarthy, called for a large attendance at the protest.

He said the event would “send an important message against racism, whether in Ireland, Palestine or anywhere else”.

The Palestinian death toll from the war has now reached over 32,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

It does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but has said women and children make up the majority of the dead.

Irsael launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed across the border on October 7.

“Israel has inflicted collective punishment on the entire population of Gaza,” co-chair of CPSC, Kathy Glavanis, said, speaking at the rally.

“In less than six months Israel has killed over 32,000 Palestinian people and is now subjecting the entire population of Gaza to forced starvation.” 

Several people from the Democratic Republic of Congo also marched in Cork to raise awareness of the impact of colonialism and mineral extraction in Congo.

Gloria Antonia Lenga, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is also Miss Congo Éireann 2023, was among those who spoke and expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Speakers at the rally also included Breda O'Donoghue from the Traveller Visibility Group (TVG) who said that Travellers “stand with Palestine”.