KARRATHA RESIDENTS PROTEST FOR PALESTINE
Qistina Shahlan spoke at the rally for Palestine in Karratha on Sunday. Credit: Supplied, Ben Murphy.
BY GERARD MAZZA
Karratha community members gathered on Sunday to protest Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
More than 50 community members from a range of backgrounds were in attendance at the event, which also marked the 75th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948.
Protesters called for an immediate end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Credit: Supplied, Ben Murphy.
In the crowd were many children, who played soccer, ate watermelon-flavoured Frosty Fruits and added their handprints in paint to a banner which read ‘Pilbara for Palestine’.
10-year-old Karratha resident Naa’ila Kolia read a poem and gave a short speech as part of the rally.
“Palestinian children are kids – just like you, just like me,” she said. “They have rights and deserve to live in peace, just like us.
“The world leaders need to do more for the Palestinian children. We need a permanent ceasefire now.”
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 7,000 Palestinian children have been killed since 7 October.
19-year-old university student Qistina Shahlan, who completed high school in Karratha, also addressed the crowd.
“What a privilege it is to be able to work, play and learn comfortably while homes, hospitals and schools are under constant threat by teargas, sound bombs and weaponry,” she said.
“What a privilege it is to move freely while our brothers and sisters in Palestine are detained and arrested at checkpoint after checkpoint.
“What a privilege it is to worry about the price of groceries and fuel while their only worry is survival.
“As a privileged group, we have a duty to speak up and advocate about what is right.”
Other speakers included Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) North-West Regional Organiser Joel O’Brien, who read a statement from the MUA opposing Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Listen to 19-year-old university student Qistina Shahlan speak to Ngaarda Radio about her speech at the rally:
A crowd of more than 50 people gathered at Walgu Park. Credit: Gerard Mazza.