A group of residents hasmadea symbolic recognition of Gaza as a sister city as part of their solidarity with Palestine.
“We wanted a symbolic show of solidarity with Gaza, and Palestine generally,” community activist Alison Harwood told 91̳ on January 22.
“We felt that reaching out from a place that matters to us, to a place that has become symbolic of humanity and resistance (as we watch a live-streamed genocide), would resonate for people.
“Newcastle, and Mayfield particularly, has a rich context of activism. It’s home to a culturally diverse community and the river and creeks are of economic and cultural significance to First Nations people.
“In the past years, we’ve battled together to save our pool (which was gifted to Mayfield by BHP when they destroyed the river beach) and fought inappropriate and health-risking development.
“We look out for one another and know the more vulnerable people in our community by name. We all belong, and from this safety and belonging, we watch what Israel is doing to Palestine with incredulity.
“That this violent settler colonial state continues to inflict such violence on Palestinians with the support of Western governments will be a turning point for our current systems. In the meantime, we won’t stop fighting for a free Palestine.”