Latest news with #Paisley4Palestine
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Concerned Buddies say support for Palestinians is more important than ever
Councillor Neil Graham said the decision to lower the flag was a 'victory for common sense', arguing the decision to retain it in Paisley was nothing more than 'gesture politics' and a 'fringe issue'. Claims that flying the Palestinian flag in Renfrewshire is nothing more than 'gesture politics' has been dismissed by local campaigners who say the show of solidarity is more important than ever. Paisley 4 Palestine – which last year successfully campaigned for the flag to be flown in civic spaces in Renfrew, Johnstone and Paisley - said it was disappointed in the decision to lower it in Houston Square and at Renfrew Town Hall. It comes days after councillors agreed to a change in policy, flying the flag only from Renfrewshire Council headquarters where it is alternated with the Ukrainian flag every fortnight. Councillor Neil Graham said the decision to lower the flag was a 'victory for common sense', arguing the decision to retain it in Paisley was nothing more than 'gesture politics' and a 'fringe issue'. But local campaigners say his statements only serve to prove how 'out of step' he and many other politicians are with ordinary people. John Kelly, a founding member Paisley 4 Palestine, said: 'Our view is that politicians are clearly out of step or behind the curve in relation to their constituents, especially the young. 'The reality is that Paisley people keep talking about Palestine. As the slaughter in Gaza continues on a daily basis, more and more people from all over Renfrewshire and beyond, young and old, are coming together to show their solidarity and to try to bring attention to the plight of Palestinians. 'Renfrewshire has always been proud of its radical tradition so it is no surprise that Buddies are saying 'not in my name' at the atrocities taking place in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. These voices will only get louder.' John pointed to a host of activity outwith Paisley 4 Palestine which shows the strength of feeling locally. This includes a coffee morning at St Charles' RC Church which raised over £1,700 for Medical =Aid for Palestine, with Gig for Gaza at The Bungalow also raising £3,500 for the same charity. Paisley Artist Art By Dev has also painted two huge billboards in Neilston Road urging people not to look away from the humanitarian disaster taking place. Paolo Nutini also added his name to a campaign from Choose Love which saw people from the arts call for the cessation of arms sales to Israel. Councillor Graham, Renfrewshire Conservative group leader, said: 'I have been appalled by the scenes in Gaza and the innocent civilians who have been caught up in this conflict. I hope that aid can get to those who need it most. 'Of course, such a conflict is not a fringe issue. However, the flying of certain flags very much is. At a time when council tax has soared, I believe Renfrewshire residents want us to focus on issues we can truly impact upon like our roads, our schools and our social care services. 'While, like others, I want to see an immediate ceasefire, I believe the time has come for the council to stop spending so much time on what flags are flying.'
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Buddies raise almost £3,500 to support starving and ill in Gaza
Organised by Paisley4Palestine, in partnership with The Bungalow and a host of musicians, the gig raised £3,340 for Medical Aid for Palestine Buddies have helped raise almost £3,500 to support starving and ill Palestinians in Gaza. Paisley people came together with musicians from across Scotland to stand in solidarity with innocent civilians as part of Gig for Gaza. Organised by Paisley4Palestine, in partnership with The Bungalow and a host of musicians, the gig raised £3,340 for Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP). The charity delivers life-saving aid, food and medical supplies to Gazans who now face starvation as well as the daily bombing from Israeli Defence Forces. The gig, featuring an array of musical talent, was held just days before Israel lifted its blockade on Gaza, which had not received any food, fuel or medical supplies for 11 weeks. About 130 lorries carrying humanitarian aid have crossed into the Gaza Strip in the past three days. However the UN says it would need to see 600 trucks – carrying food, medicines, baby food and medical equipment – per day in order to begin tackling Gaza's humanitarian crisis. John Kelly, a founding member of Paisley 4 Palestine told the Paisley Daily Express: 'All of the artists and The Bungalow gave their time free to this event and Paisley4Palestine are eternally grateful to them all. 'Buddies contributed over £3,000 to MAP, aid which is badly needed as the Israelis continue their relentless assault on the civilian population of Gaza, at the same time as they pursue a colonial settler project in the West Bank. 'Both assaults are in flagrant breach of international law and we once again call upon our political representatives to do all they can to boycott and disinvest from Israel, as the only way to stop the ongoing murderous assaults on innocent people, with the main victims being women and children. 'Paisley4Palestine urge all Buddies to contact their local Westminster MPs calling on them to make their voices heard in defence of the innocents under attack and facing starvation.' The gig took place last week and saw punk/rap band Aidan and the Outkkasts kick off the show with a blistering performance. Iona Fyfe mixed her own songs of protest with classics in a really heartfelt session which had the crowd in raptures. SHOUT! had the Bungalow jumping as did Alexx Munro's set, before Howlin' Radio took to the stage with some very well received classic rock. Special guest 'Replacement Kneecap' –otherwise known as Paisley's own Tannahill Makar Sean – delivered spoken words on the situation across the world but particularly on the role of Zionism in the attacks on Gaza and on the West Bank. Clydebank singer/songwriter Eddie Reid's voice was impressive as he gave the crowd some lovely, thoughtful and inspirational numbers while Barrhead's Kitti – repeat winner of the best jazz vocalist award at the Scottish Jazz Awards – finished her set with Viva Palestina before making way for radical rockers The Tenementals. They finished the night off with radical sounds and tales of resistance reflecting the tone of the night. Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 53,655 Palestinians and wounded 121,950, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 250 people hostage in an attack on October 7, 2023.
