Riders for the Big Ride for Palestine gather. Photo: Orlando Hill / shared with permission
The Big Ride for Palestine 2021 arrives tomorrow in Tower Hamlets. Orlando Hill is reporting on the road, noting the upsurge in support for Palestinian liberation
The Big Ride started on Wednesday at the Palestine Museum in Bristol. The museum opened especially for the riders to register and look at the display. After registering riders were offered typical Palestinian food.
On Thursday, the day of the ride, there was a sending off rally near the College Green. Owen, the main organiser, greeted the 200 riders to the 7th consecutive Big Ride. This was a special one since for the last 3 years there hasn’t been a major one with so many riders.
This year the main issue was to make it clear that Israel is an apartheid state: “For so long we have been on the defensive. However, now the narrative has changed. It is clear for anyone to see that Israel is an apartheid state.”
But the Big ride is not only about raising awareness. It is also about raising funds for important projects that benefit children in Palestine.
The 200 riders came from all over the country. They are of a range of nationalities, including Brazilian, Colombian, Italian, French, Mexican, American and Taiwanese – and these are only the ones I spoke to. There are people of all backgrounds and ages taking part in the Big Ride.
We snaked through the streets of Bristol shouting Free Palestine and Viva Viva Palestina to the applause of residents. People asked for leaflets, took out their phones to take photos and videos and wished us good luck. Everywhere we went we were well received. People were curious and wanted more information.
At Swindon, we were received by a warm reception rally. Jason Mohammed made a speech where he reminded us of the 77 children who had recently been shot by Israeli forces. A representative of the local PSC asked us to use the word “apartheid” and called for everyone to end the complicity of our government with the Israeli state. The mass demonstrations earlier this year will have no doubt contributed to forcing our government to think again.
The Al Habib Muslim Centre offered us a vegetarian curry with vegan ice cream. A delicious treat for such a wonderful day.
The Big Ride arrives in Tower Hamlets on Sunday, 1st August. Read about it here.
Before you go
The ongoing genocide in Gaza, Starmer’s austerity and the danger of a resurgent far right demonstrate the urgent need for socialist organisation and ideas. Counterfire has been central to the Palestine revolt and we are committed to building mass, united movements of resistance. Become a member today and join the fightback.
Orlando Hill
Orlando was born in Brazil and was involved in the successful struggle for democracy in the late 1970s and 80s in that country. He teaches A level Economics. He is a member of the NEU, Counterfire and Stop the War.