The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia is back and ready to commemorate ten years of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Over the last nine years, Australian activists and their communities have raised over $300,000 for Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA Palestinian projects, which have provided significant support to partner organisations – the MA’AN Development Centre (supporting humanitarian aid in Gaza) and the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation (PWHO) supporting Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
The Big Ride is launching around the country on 17 October and will conclude with a National Day of Action on 8 November where we encourage all participants to make a final push to reach their target and get out to local Big Ride events, celebrate and raise awareness on social media.
Events are being organised in Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide, but you can participate as an individual or as part of a team from any location in Australia. In addition to raising funds, the Big Ride brings together supporters of Palestinian liberation and acts as a means for them to provide solidarity.
How to Participate:
- Step 1:
Register to take part as a rider, walker, or runner. Everyone is welcome!
- Step 2:
Choose whether you’d like to buy a campaign t-shirt.
- Step 3:
Participate individually or form a team to raise more funds. Invite your friends, family, and workmates to join in!
- Step 4:
Work towards your goal, post updates using #bigrideaus, and invite your community to get involved.
Registrations are free, so set up your profile to ensure you receive updates and start fundraising today!
For those who can’t take part, you can still support the ride by donating to an individual or team.
A real bond between Australians and Palestinians
The connection between Australian activists and Palestinian is long. Lachlan Hurse, APHEDA activist and organiser of The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia, reflects on his connection with Olfat Mahmoud, the founder of PWHO:
“When she visited Brisbane in August 2018, participants and organisers of The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia met her at a meeting organised with the Queensland Council of Unions. We felt an immediate affinity with her. Moreover, meeting Olfat provided a personal dimension to our solidarity efforts. It is difficult to underestimate the significance of this visit in creating a bond amongst the Big Ride organisers with the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation, a bond that endures to this day.”
“As we enter our tenth year, The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia remains committed to supporting the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation and the important relief it provides to Palestinian refugees in their struggle for justice.”
Calendar of Events
BRISBANE
- 25 October – Half River Loop, starting at 8:00am from John Walker Place, Brisbane Corso, Yeronga
- 1 November – The Big (Bay) Ride for Palestine to Moreton Bay and back with lunch at Wellington Point (volunteers needed)
- 8 November – Closing Ride and Ceremony with Dabke dancers at 8:00am, from John Walker Place, Brisbane Corso, Yeronga
MELBOURNE
- 31 October– Merri Creek Trail, 10:00 am start at T H Westfield Reserve. Ride up to Coburg and finish with tea/coffee and Palestinian sweets from Knafeh Nabulseyeh. RSVP via a Google Form
HOBART
- 8 November – 9:00am start for a big loop through Hobart CBD, taking off from the Parliament lawns after speeches.
ADELAIDE
- 8 November – join The Big Ride for Palestine SA, which is organising a run ride or walk (more details to follow shortly)
OTHER CITIES
Would you like to coordinate activities in your city? If you’d like to find out more or volunteer, please contact the organisers at: thebigrideaustalia@outlook.com or book in a timeslot with us here.
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