Susanna Freymark
Eliza Scott could no longer stay silent about the conflict and deaths in Gaza so she organised a vigil in Kyogle.
“It felt like being silent is adding to the problem,” Eliza said.
“I wanted to at least acknowledge what is happening over there.”
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian militants attacked Israel, killing 1,143 people. Israel responded by bombing the Gaza Strip and launching an invasion that has killed more than 43,000 Gazans as of November 2024, according to Wikipedia.
There have been more deaths since then and with the conflict expanding to Iran and including US involvement it is a worrying global development.
It’s a long way from Kyogle though.
For Eliza, the vigil is about humanity.
“It’s the children dying and the starvation,” she said.
Watching the scenes on television or on news sites is distressing and many people feel powerless given the conflict does not involve Australia and is a long way away.
Yet it is being felt, and this small group of Kyogle residents decided to give voice to their distress and advocate for humanity in whatever way they could.
On Thursday, June 19, the group stood on the corner of Geneva Street and Summerland Way with placards reading ‘Let the aid into Gaza’ and ‘Break the blockade, feed Gaza.’
Eliza said initially she was worried about the response from the community but cars tooted horns, people called out and it was a positive experience, she said.
“It’s not changing anything but it’s something,” Eliza said.
She said she felt better doing something and it was “the least she could do.”
It was reassuring to be with like-minded people too, she said.
“The human side is what touches people,” she said.
There will be a Gaza vigil every Thursday at 4.30pm–5.20pm on the corner of Geneva Street and Summerland Way and the community is welcome to join.