Brisbane Cycles for Solidarity: The 2019 Big Ride for Palestine
Early on the morning of Saturday 31st August, twenty-three cyclists and their support crew came together in South Brisbane for the third annual Big Ride for Palestine!
The night before, the riders and supporters had been treated to a concert of the Palestinian American poet, Remi Kanazi, Brisbane-based Lebanese musician, Phil Monsour, and the Al Zayton Palestinian Dabke Troupe, in which the struggle of the Palestinian people was expressed through music, poetry and dance.
The riders fund-raised for a Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA project in Gaza delivered in partnership with the Ma’an Development Centre. The project supports small-scale farmers in developing sustainable agricultural in an area where water supplies are scarce and access to markets is impacted by political conflict and restrictions on the movement of people and goods.
On Sunday afternoon, sixteen riders completing the ride were given a very warm welcome by the Byron Bay Friends of Palestine and a group of supporters who had driven from Brisbane. Speeches and thanks were given to the riders and the support crew. It was announced that over $9,000 had been raised to help Palestinian farmers secure dignified livelihoods.
Generous sponsorship from the Plumbers Union, the Construction, Forestry, and Manufacturing Employees Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, along with Brisbane City Councillor Jonathan Sri, Ground Technologies, Sam’s Pizza, Ozzy Tyres and the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) meant that, after costs of the ride were met, over $10000 was raised for the project.
As in past years, the support crew did a fantastic job of catering and escorting the riders.
The committee organising the Big Ride is already discussing the 2020 Big Ride. For more information visit the Big Ride for Palestine.
Support Palestinian Farmers
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA works with partner organisations in Palestine to help small-scale farmers secure dignified livelihoods in a region torn apart by conflict. You can support projects like these by becoming a member of Union Aid Abroad -APHEDA.