More than 400 people attended a twilight vigil calling for a free Palestine on October 26.
The action was called by the newly-initiated Free Palestine Geelong, which comprises citizens of many faiths and nationalities, as well as Geelong Trades Hall, Islamic Society of Geelong, Geelong Interfaith Group, socialists and anarchists.
Representatives from the participating groups, Shaykh Qazi Muhammad Saad, Imam from Geelong mosque and Youssef Hajazi, a Palestinian man whose family are refugees from the occupied West Bank, addressed the vigil.
All expressed horror and opposition to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, in which more than 6000 Palestinians had been massacred.
They called on local, state and federal politicians to push the Australian government to demand an immediate ceasefire.
They also called for an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza and a just settlement for the genocide and dispossession of Palestinians that dates back 75 years.
The vigil ended with a minute’s silence for all the victims.
[Free Palestine Geelong is organising a march from Little Mallop Street to the office of Richard Marles, local Labor MP and Deputy Prime Minister, on November 4 at 12noon.]