The Friends of Palestine march in Downpatrick

The Friends of Palestine march in Downpatrick

29 October 2025

DOWNPATRICK’S streets were filled with flags, banners and determined voices on Saturday as locals marched in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Organised by Friends of Palestine Downpatrick, the demonstration was also attended by representatives from Castlewellan for Palestine, BDS Newry, Mourne for Palestine and IPSC Lurgan.

The march, which concluded outside McDonald’s, was a call for justice, peace and informed action, with organisers describing the current ceasefire as “a farce”.

Speakers condemned ongoing violence and humanitarian restrictions despite the alleged truce. They said that since October 10, Israel has reportedly breached the ceasefire at least 47 times, killing 38 Palestinians and injuring over 140, with some reports citing up to 80 violations and nearly 100 deaths. 

Speakers said Gaza’s Health Ministry notes that since October 2023, over 67,900 Palestinians have been killed and more than 170,000 injured — the vast majority civilians.

Aid is still blocked from those who need it most, leaving hospitals on the brink of collapse. 

Doctors are forced to make impossible decisions, with supplies running critically low, patients dying from treatable injuries and civilians deprived of basic essentials like food, water and electricity.

“A ceasefire should mean life, not more bombs and starvation,” said one marcher.

“Hospitals are running out of medicine, children are dying from treatable injuries, and the world watches in silence under the guise of a ceasefire.”

The demonstration ended at McDonald’s, chosen for its inclusion on international boycott lists due to its Israeli franchise supplying free meals to Israeli soldiers. 

Organisers emphasised that the protest was about raising awareness and educating the local community, not confrontation. Their goal was to empower people to make ethical, informed choices about where they spend their money.

“Every pound we spend is a choice,” one protester declared. “We can choose to support life and compassion, or we can fund oppression, suffering and genocide.”

Organisers stressed this is the beginning of a sustained campaign to educate the town about businesses complicit in the genocide in Palestine, warning that other businesses could expect future protest and awareness actions.

Local activist, Rosie Maguire, delivered one of the most impassioned speeches of the rally, urging the crowd to consider not just what they say, but how the media frames the suffering of Palestinians.

“We must watch our language carefully,” she said.

“Every time we call those illegally detained ‘prisoners’, or describe massacres as ‘conflict’, we erase their suffering. We are witnessing a genocide, yet words are twisted to normalise it.”

Ms Maguire highlighted the widespread illegal detention of Palestinians by Israel: over 9,000 people are currently held, including around 3,500 under administrative detention, without charge, trial or access to a lawyer. Many are children.

“These are not criminals. They are hostages. Their lives, their freedom, their very existence are under siege,” she said, referencing Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, a paediatrician from Gaza detained since December 2024 without charge.

“His story is not unique, it represents thousands of Palestinians whose rights are denied simply for being Palestinian.”

Ms Maguire called on the crowd to speak truthfully, raise awareness and challenge narratives that hide or diminish the human cost of the Israeli bombardment and occupation.

“We cannot be passive. Every word matters when a people’s life and dignity are on the line,” she added, urging solidarity and informed action.

Garry McKinney, representing Children of Gaza, spoke about the vital work of the charity and thanked attendees for their generosity raising over £272 to help fund surgical and medical support for hospitals in Gaza which will provide critical care for those injured by bombardment.

The demonstration closed with a clear message: awareness, action, and compassion are the weapons of solidarity. 

Campaigners say support from towns like Downpatrick sends a “powerful message to the people of Gaza that they are not forgotten”.

“Downpatrick may be far from Gaza, but humanity has no borders,” said an organiser. “Our voices, our choices and our commitment to justice can reach across the world. This is only the beginning.”

The next protest in solidarity for Palestine will be held in Newcastle next Saturday November 8 at 1pm.