More Than 600 Attend Emotional Rally in Christchurch

Tears flowed as hundreds of people gathered in Christchurch yesterday.

The rally organised by ‘Canterbury for Justice in Palestine’, marking a National Day of Action to end Israel’s massacre in Gaza, saw more than 600 people march up Riccarton Rd to Shand Crescent Reserve.

Close to 400 white balloons, each bearing the name of a dead Palestinian child, were released in a highly emotional finale that saw the beautiful blue sky above dotted with hundreds of flying white balloons; a poignant representation of the number of little lives lost as a result of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

One of the organisers, Donna Miles, addressing the crowd as a mother, spoke emotionally to humanise the dead Palestinian children who she said were often referred to as just a number in the media.

"I am here out of love and respect. I am here out of love and respect for Yasmin whose name is attached to this balloon that I hold. Yasmin was only 4 years old when her life, her dreams, and her future were snatched away from her by Israeli rockets," she said.

Miles added, "I think a lot about you Yasmin. What was your favourite colour? Your favourite food? Were you alone when you died? Or in the arms of your mother? Were you frightened sweetheart? Did you scream for help? Did anyone come to you? Did you feel pain?"

Co-organiser Lauren McGee says the New Zealand Government must take action now on the continuing violence and war in Gaza.

“We are calling on the Government to close the Israeli Embassy in Wellington. Enough is enough and we are showing the world that this continuing murder of women and children is totally unacceptable to New Zealand and New Zealanders.”

McGee and Miles say the more than 600 people who gathered for the rally, should send a strong message to the Government that action must be taken to stop the unbridled loss of innocent life.