Calls for peace at picnic

COMMUNITY members gathered at the Eureka Stockade Memorial Gardens last Saturday to call for action to support peace in the Middle East.

The picnic aimed to encourage the community to speak against violence and to show support for the application made in the International Court of Justice by South Africa to punish those who commit genocide.

Those at the event also paid their respects to lives which have been lost in the conflict and discussed ways a peaceful resolution may be reached.

“We’re hoping people will discuss the ICJ cases happening at the moment because we’ve had South Africa’s case and Israel’s very dynamic and interesting response,” said Free Palestine Ballarat member Kristy Fox.

“There was actually a global call for peace today and this is not a two-side issue, killing people is bad, bombing people is bad and genocide is bad.

“We should all be here because we care about people and a ceasefire is the only non-insane option.”

Another member of the group, Mark Oughton, said the Eureka Stockade Memorial Gardens was a good location for the picnic.

“This is the perfect place to do it as this was the place where people made their voice heard to the authorities that they wouldn’t stand for oppression,” he said.

“This flag belongs to the people of Ballarat, it doesn’t belong to people who hide their faces, who call for our neighbours to not be welcome here.”

Mr Oughton said he hoped the picnic sent a message to representatives that they need to take action.

“We feel our representatives should hear our voice and that they need to use all the tools available to stop the war, stop the genocide and free Palestine,” he said.