Welcome to Big Ride for Palestine 2023 participants
Firstly, a very big (and slightly belated) welcome to The Big Ride. It’s great that you’ve signed up and joined this wonderful show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We have been going for just over a week, and now have 43 participants around Australia, in 10 teams. We have already raised over $5500 and collectively travelled over 2500 km. The funds will be used for APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad projects in Palestine and in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
We, as the organisers, are acutely aware that the Big Ride this year is being run in a very particular context. We have the campaign around the referendum surrounding us, and there are also increasing demands being put upon the community sector to fund many worthy causes that are struggling in the current economic climate.
In that sense what we have achieved so far is truly commendable, the ongoing crisis in Palestine needs our support as much as ever. If we are to get through these trying times, we need to maintain our solidarity, and to strengthen our ties with each other and the Palestinian partner organisations we support.
It would be wonderful if we could increase our visibility across Australia. If any of you are organising group activities (for instance, a group walk in a public place wearing our tee-shirts) it would be great if you could let us know so we can publicise it and broaden our show of support for Palestine. Please send through any photos for inclusion on our blog site. If you would like to help organise a group activity in your city, please contact us, so we can put you in touch with other participants in your location.
In Brisbane we are planning a group ride/walk on Saturday 16 September. We’ll send out details shortly of meeting places and destination, with options for a longer and shorter ride, and a walk.
For a variety of reasons, we have had to postpone our closing event in Brisbane till Sunday October 1st. We will celebrate the end of the Big Ride for Palestine with Dabke Dancers at the Baladi Coffee Cart on the Brisbane Corso at 10 am. We’ll be sure to keep the campaign website open until then.
Please remember to share your campaign page profile on social media! Don’t be shy in asking your friends, workmates, family to join and/or support this very worthy cause. There are more supporters out there than we realise, it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised!
Looking forward to hearing about your rides and walks.
In solidarity
Lachlan and Ian
12 September 2023
__oOo__
Now in its 7th year, the Big Ride for Palestine (Australia) has raised over $200,000 for important APHEDA projects in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Last year (2022) we raised around $23,000 which was directed to educational programs for youth in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, run by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation.
The crucial demand by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation is the right of return to their homelands which are being settled by the apartheid state of Israel.
[See report from Olfat Mahmoud workersbushtelegraph.com.au/2022/08/13/life-inside-palestinian-refugee-camps/ ]
The 2023 ride will follow the COVID-Safe approach adopted last year, where participants ride or walk a self-nominated distance over a fortnight, seeking sponsorship from friends, comrades, and supporters of Palestine.
This year we are planning a program of group rides and walks in South-East Qld and are hoping to do the same in other states with local solidarity groups. So local group rides, walks, and runs are encouraged.
Again, The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia will be a national event, held between September 2 - 17, 2023.
All funds raised will support projects run by Union-Aid Abroad-APHEDA, in conjunction with partner organisations in Palestine and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
Apart from fundraising for critical APHEDA projects, The Big Ride participants assist with raising the profile of Palestinian issues in the general community. We do this through distributing leaflets, posting on social media, and proudly wearing our Palestinian Big Ride jerseys and tee-shirts.
The Big Ride for Palestine is an international event. In Britain they have just finished their 8th Big Ride for Palestine last weekend week-end , with over 300 riders cycling from Derby to Stoke to Manchester. One of their organisers, Owen, says he is always amazed how these smaller cities really go out of their way to put on such a reception for the Big Ride.
Here is the link to the UK Big Ride thebigride4palestine.com
Firstly, a very big (and slightly belated) welcome to The Big Ride. It’s great that you’ve signed up and joined this wonderful show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We have been going for just over a week, and now have 43 participants around Australia, in 10 teams. We have already raised over $5500 and collectively travelled over 2500 km. The funds will be used for APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad projects in Palestine and in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
We, as the organisers, are acutely aware that the Big Ride this year is being run in a very particular context. We have the campaign around the referendum surrounding us, and there are also increasing demands being put upon the community sector to fund many worthy causes that are struggling in the current economic climate.
In that sense what we have achieved so far is truly commendable, the ongoing crisis in Palestine needs our support as much as ever. If we are to get through these trying times, we need to maintain our solidarity, and to strengthen our ties with each other and the Palestinian partner organisations we support.
It would be wonderful if we could increase our visibility across Australia. If any of you are organising group activities (for instance, a group walk in a public place wearing our tee-shirts) it would be great if you could let us know so we can publicise it and broaden our show of support for Palestine. Please send through any photos for inclusion on our blog site. If you would like to help organise a group activity in your city, please contact us, so we can put you in touch with other participants in your location.
In Brisbane we are planning a group ride/walk on Saturday 16 September. We’ll send out details shortly of meeting places and destination, with options for a longer and shorter ride, and a walk.
For a variety of reasons, we have had to postpone our closing event in Brisbane till Sunday October 1st. We will celebrate the end of the Big Ride for Palestine with Dabke Dancers at the Baladi Coffee Cart on the Brisbane Corso at 10 am. We’ll be sure to keep the campaign website open until then.
Please remember to share your campaign page profile on social media! Don’t be shy in asking your friends, workmates, family to join and/or support this very worthy cause. There are more supporters out there than we realise, it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised!
Looking forward to hearing about your rides and walks.
In solidarity
Lachlan and Ian
12 September 2023
__oOo__
Now in its 7th year, the Big Ride for Palestine (Australia) has raised over $200,000 for important APHEDA projects in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Last year (2022) we raised around $23,000 which was directed to educational programs for youth in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, run by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation.
The crucial demand by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation is the right of return to their homelands which are being settled by the apartheid state of Israel.
[See report from Olfat Mahmoud workersbushtelegraph.com.au/2022/08/13/life-inside-palestinian-refugee-camps/ ]
The 2023 ride will follow the COVID-Safe approach adopted last year, where participants ride or walk a self-nominated distance over a fortnight, seeking sponsorship from friends, comrades, and supporters of Palestine.
This year we are planning a program of group rides and walks in South-East Qld and are hoping to do the same in other states with local solidarity groups. So local group rides, walks, and runs are encouraged.
Again, The Big Ride for Palestine-Australia will be a national event, held between September 2 - 17, 2023.
All funds raised will support projects run by Union-Aid Abroad-APHEDA, in conjunction with partner organisations in Palestine and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
Apart from fundraising for critical APHEDA projects, The Big Ride participants assist with raising the profile of Palestinian issues in the general community. We do this through distributing leaflets, posting on social media, and proudly wearing our Palestinian Big Ride jerseys and tee-shirts.
The Big Ride for Palestine is an international event. In Britain they have just finished their 8th Big Ride for Palestine last weekend week-end , with over 300 riders cycling from Derby to Stoke to Manchester. One of their organisers, Owen, says he is always amazed how these smaller cities really go out of their way to put on such a reception for the Big Ride.
Here is the link to the UK Big Ride thebigride4palestine.com
WHY WE RIDE?
, The Big Ride for Palestine is an initiative by supporters of the Palestinian people that combines a love of cycling with practical solidarity and awareness raising.
We want to bring attention to the human rights abuses endured by the Palestinian people, the brutal military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and Israel’s continued violation of international law. In May this year heightened tensions were sparked by the assassination of prominent Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Aqleh, in Jenin. Israeli police assaulted the funeral courtege and arrested some of the pallbearers.
The eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem and Israeli bombing of Gaza continues. Over 36,000 Palestinians, many in the great march of return, have been shot by Israeli snipers.
We raise money to support organisations that struggle to allow Palestinian people to live with dignity and peace. We have raised money for a school in Hebron, the Ma’an Centre in Gaza, promoting sustainable agriculture. In 2021, we raised around $50,000 which was directed to educational programs for youth in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, run by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation.
We encourage our participants and supporters to deepen their understanding of the Palestinian issue, to discuss it with their friends and colleagues and to join local Palestinian solidarity organisations. Links are accessible from our website and Facebook page.
For more information
Email thebigrideaustralia@outlook.com
Web https://ride4palestine.raisely.com/
Facebook https://fb.me/TBRaustralia
Mobile contact: Ian Curr 0407 687 016
Instagram https://www.instagr.am/thebigrideaustralia/
We encourage people to join Palestinian solidarity organisations in their local areas. In Brisbane, we encourage people to join in BDS campaigns organised by Justice for Palestine - Meanjin
We want to bring attention to the human rights abuses endured by the Palestinian people, the brutal military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and Israel’s continued violation of international law. In May this year heightened tensions were sparked by the assassination of prominent Palestinian journalist, Shireen Abu Aqleh, in Jenin. Israeli police assaulted the funeral courtege and arrested some of the pallbearers.
The eviction of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem and Israeli bombing of Gaza continues. Over 36,000 Palestinians, many in the great march of return, have been shot by Israeli snipers.
We raise money to support organisations that struggle to allow Palestinian people to live with dignity and peace. We have raised money for a school in Hebron, the Ma’an Centre in Gaza, promoting sustainable agriculture. In 2021, we raised around $50,000 which was directed to educational programs for youth in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, run by the Palestinian Women’s Humanitarian Organisation.
We encourage our participants and supporters to deepen their understanding of the Palestinian issue, to discuss it with their friends and colleagues and to join local Palestinian solidarity organisations. Links are accessible from our website and Facebook page.
For more information
Email thebigrideaustralia@outlook.com
Web https://ride4palestine.raisely.com/
Facebook https://fb.me/TBRaustralia
Mobile contact: Ian Curr 0407 687 016
Instagram https://www.instagr.am/thebigrideaustralia/
We encourage people to join Palestinian solidarity organisations in their local areas. In Brisbane, we encourage people to join in BDS campaigns organised by Justice for Palestine - Meanjin
CONNECT WITH US |
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The Big Ride for Palestine - Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the country where we live, travel and work and recognise their continuing cultural and spiritual connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to the Ancestors, Elders both past and present, and future generations. We acknowledge we live and work on occupied country and that the land was never ceded.
THE BIG RIDE IS RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS
The Palestinian Womens Humanitarian Organisation through Union Aid Abroad APHEDA
THE BIG RIDE IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
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