Free Palestine Central Victoria (FPCV) is a grassroots, volunteer collective of diverse locals united in deep concern for the people of Palestine. Inspired by global action, we have come together to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their calls for peace, justice, and freedom. As a collective, we value and respect the humanity of all people, faiths, and backgrounds. We are especially shocked and disturbed by the persistent, indiscriminate violence and killing of innocent civilians in Gaza despite repeated global calls for a ceasefire. This crisis demands urgent attention; we must remain focused on the ongoing fight to end the genocide and oppression of the Palestinian people. We advocate for the human rights of all Palestinian people, in accordance with international law, including the rights to self-determination, the right of return to their homelands, and the right to sovereignty over their natural resources. We affirm and amplify Palestinian voices in calling for freedom and vehemently oppose any censorship of valid criticism of their oppression. Free Palestine Central Victoria unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, racism and hate speech including those that are Islamophobic or antisemitic. We invite our community to join in our calls for:
● an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to the blockade in Gaza
● an end to Israeli occupation, oppression, apartheid and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians
● unconditional access of humanitarian aid to Palestinians
● the release of all captives, hostages, and political prisoners
● The Australian Government to support justice and freedom for Palestine
WEEKLY RALLIES
FPCV invite our community from across Central Victoria to join us at our weekly rallies every Sunday at 12pm in Jaara Park, corner of Mostyn and Barker streets, Castlemaine. We offer an inclusive and welcoming space for the community to peacefully gather, connect, learn, and share ideas. Our weekly rallies feature speakers sharing personal experiences and knowledge, concerns, and hopes for peace and safety for all Palestinians. Our rallies are also an opportunity for fundraising and a space for our community to engage in impactful actions towards peace for the people of Palestine. FPCV events are safe, inclusive and accessible. We are against all forms of violence, and have no tolerance for racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. We acknowledge Dja Dja Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live, work and organise. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and their emerging leaders. We recognise that the ongoing land theft, occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people is deeply connected to First Nations struggles here and across the globe. From the river to the sea, always was, always will be. More Information:
https://jewishcurrents.org/what-does-from-the-river-to-the-sea-really-mean?fbclid=IwAR0DW8ZEZmFpW74m3BW8CLVdIAigdDNjUyGyxwF2m-6efMnhLzcSfiAwvOw
https://www.un.org/unispal/human-rights-council-resolutions/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2017/11/the-occupation-of-water/
Stay updated on our events via Facebook, Instagram, and local posters. ABOUT THE FREE PALESTINE CENTRAL VIC FACEBOOK PAGE:
We run this page to share up-to-date topical information on issues that are affecting Palestinians and their struggle for justice and freedom. We are here as an
unapologetically pro-Palestinian page. We welcome genuine discussion and opinions to help understanding of the situation as it is for Palestinians. In these discussions, we don't delete or ban any opinions which disagree with other opinions. We do, however, delete comments that contain historical fallacies and political propaganda by antidemocratic organisations and individuals, irrespective of political leaning. This means that we do not tolerate any lies or propaganda that forward the agenda of extremist groups, hate speech, racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, the denial of proven crimes against humanity, the denial of the Nakba, racialized claims as to indigeneity or comments that depend on the erasure of the humanity of Palestinians. Rules for commenting:
** Remain civil and polite. We will delete any comments with personal insults, or attacks.
** Avoid partisan politics as far as you can. We reserve the right to cut off vitriolic debates.
** Hate speech in any direction will lead to a ban.
** Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism or any slamming of Palestinians will lead to an immediate ban.
** Partisan revisionism, especially Nakba or Holocaust denial will lead to an immediate ban.
