Posted online: Aug 30th, 2010

People across County Derry are being urged to attend a fundraising event to raise cash for the people of Gaza.
The event, which has been organised by People Before Profit, hopes all cash raised will be used to buy essential supplies which will be shipped into the region.
Gaza is currently under a strict embargo enforced by the Israeli military and people there are forced to live in poverty with little or no access to medical and other basic supplies.
In the past the United Nations has branded the blockade illegal while the International Committee of the Red Cross has also been critical.
Earlier this year nine Turkish peace campaigners were shot dead by Israeli soldiers after they boarded a ship carrying humanitarian aid to the 1.5 million people who live in Gaza.
Draperstown woman Brenda Bradley says any cash raised will be used to raise goods for a new aid flotilla which will sail for Gaza later this year.
She said: “We are holding an awareness night in Friday 3rd September, we will also be raising awareness about the situation in Palestine as well as funds for the next flotilla. The proceeds will go towards the Irish ship to Gaza Campaign.
“Those who comprise the Irish Ship to Gaza Campaign represent Irish people and organisations that aim to break this inhuman siege by being part of the Second Freedom Flotilla. We are fundraising to ensure that an Irish ship is among those that set out in October 2010 to break the illegal siege of Gaza. We will be presenting any money raised to Derry Friends of Palestine who are involved in the Irish ship to Gaza Campaign.
“On the night we will have Brid Smith from People Before Profit talking about the group and Patricia Campbell (Independent Workers Union) talking about the situation in Palestine. We will also have live music from Junior Johnson, Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas and Electrisey.”
The fundraising event will take place at the Cellar Bar, Draperstown, on Friday, September 3. Doors will open at 8pm and entry is just £5. Everyone is welcome.