Since October 2023, CPFP has held monthly vigils at Vicar’s Oak to remember the victims of the genocide being committed by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Our vigils have been an opportunity for the community to come together, to grieve and to give support to local people who have lost loved ones. We have been joined by local musicians, poets, singers and activists who have performed and spoken in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza.

During our most recent vigil in February, we focused on the Palestinian journalists murdered by Israel, by far the highest number of media workers killed this century in any conflict. Despite the bitter cold, rain and wind, we had a large number of attendees who joined us under our gazebos for hot mint tea, poetry, song and speeches.

We heard the moving testimony of Gazan playwright and artistic director, Ahmed Najar, whose beloved grandmother was murdered by Israel and whose extended family are trapped in Northern Gaza; we heard the important message of Dave Cannon of the anti-Zionist Jewish Network for Palestine who spoke about the importance of Jewish solidarity with Palestine. We had rousing songs of solidarity from the Strawberry Thieves Socialist Choir and Lizzie Shirley, as well as a poignant reading by nine-year-old Ariana, entitled ‘Every Child Matters’. We also heard poetry written by Hafiza Ibrahim in Arabic and performed in translation by Maysoon Delahunty.

Our candles lit up the street, spelling out ‘Save Rafah’ and our Palestinian flags fluttered in the wind, bringing love, solidarity and shared grief to Crystal Palace. We shall continue to come together and support each other for as long as this brutal genocide continues.