Kings Heath to Galilee - Palestine Weekender
“Birmingham Palestine Weekender's Message of Solidarity"
In the radiant embrace of an Easter bank holiday Monday, the streets of York Road in Kings Heath basked under the warmth of spring's arrival. It was the day after the Birmingham Palestine Weekender, and as we gathered to dismantle the banners and flags that adorned the thoroughfare, our spirits soared with the memory of our collective achievements.
As we savoured well-deserved drinks outside the Hare & Hounds, one of the six local venues that had hosted the Weekender's finale the night before, our tranquillity was ruptured by an unsettling disturbance. In the distance, a middle-aged man, his voice dripping with venom, raised a Nazi salute and bellowed "sieg heil" towards York Road before vanishing into the shadows. It was as though York Road had become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, and his hateful outburst was a feeble attempt to dampen the overwhelming wave of unity that had engulfed Kings Heath during the Weekender.
This very street bore witness to injustice before, around this same time last year when a 73-year-old Muslim man leaving the local mosque was brutally assaulted by three racist thugs. He was kicked in the back, derogatorily called a ‘rag head’, and left for dead. In response, Kings Heath United Against Racism emerged, committed to supporting Mr. Naseem and combating all forms of racism and bigotry, including Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. This act of injustice served as a catalyst for us to express our support and solidarity with the injustices faced by the Palestinian people, culminating in the organisation of the Birmingham Palestine Weekender.
The colourful tapestry of York Road, adorned with Palestinian flags and striking street art murals by Mohammad Ali, served as a rallying point for our shared values of justice and compassion. As we reminisce on the Weekender's events, I extend heartfelt gratitude on behalf of Kings Heath United Against Racism and our partners, Rave Against Racism, to all who contributed to its success.
From the diverse array of performances encompassing spoken word, storytelling, art workshops, DJs and live music, to the steadfast support of our local venues and volunteers, each component played a pivotal role in amplifying our message of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The echoes of music, ranging from acoustic folk to reggae, rock, punk, soul, Afrobeat, dub poetry, and Asian underground, reverberated through the streets, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to justice.
Together, we raised over £4,000, a testament to the boundless generosity and compassion of our community. These funds will be directed towards Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, offering a small yet significant gesture of support to families devastated by the loss of loved ones (over 33,000 killed), the thousands injured (over 70,000), and the millions displaced, many now facing the threat of forced starvation due to the actions of the Israeli government.
Despite some ill-informed and racist comments on social media, the prevailing chorus of positivity and Palestinian solidarity drowned out dissent. United in our mission to advocate for an end to genocide and to call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to British complicity in perpetuating suffering through the supply of weapons to Israel, we stand resolute with Palestine. We demand accountability for those responsible for these war crimes against humanity.
To every member of our diverse community who lent their voice and support, to the artists and performers who generously shared their talents, to the venues that graciously opened their doors and offered their spaces, staff, and facilities, to the community groups, the labour movement and trade unions, and Palestinian solidarity groups, we extend our profound gratitude. Together, we have woven a tapestry of solidarity that transcends our streets, sending a resounding message of hope and unity to Palestine and demanding an end to Israeli settler colonialism and the abhorrent apartheid state. ‘From the river to the sea, they don’t beg and they don’t plea; they don’t need just charity, they're calling out to humanity—they need solidarity’!