The event is raising funds for humanitarian aid for people in Palestine
A bake sale aiming to raise funds for humanitarian aid for people in Palestine has found a new location after receiving a number of threats.
The Cake Picnic for Palestine was scheduled to take place at Banana Block, in the Port View Trade Centre off Newtownards Road in East Belfast on September 27, with the aim of raising money for humanitarian aid to help the starving population.
However, the organisers were forced to find a new location for the fundraiser after receiving a number of threats regarding the event. Shonee McWilliams, who runs Pie Queen, organised the event alongside a host of local bakers.
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She announced on Tuesday, September 9 the event would now be going ahead on the same day in a new location, at St Comgall’s on Divis Street in West Belfast. There are around 100 professionals, businesses and home bakers now set to take part in the event.
Shonee shared: “Let’s try this again…Cake Picnic for Palestine is a go mo chairde! Thank you to St Comgalls for adopting us, we couldn’t be more excited to serve cake in your beautiful space.”
Alongside announcing the venue change, Shonee said they could squeeze some more bakers in to take part in the event.
She added: “Email cakepicnicpalestine@gmail.com with your name and an idea of what you’d like to bring and I’ll get back to you. All funds raised going to MAG Water and Aid Project – let’s do some good, together.”
The Director of the Falls Community Council Gerry McConville confirmed that St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell will be hosting the Cake Picnic for Palestine, which was cancelled last week following intimidation.
Gerry McConville said: “We reached out to the organisers of the Cake Picnic, when they announced they were looking for a new venue to hold the event.
“This is a brilliant community initiative with over 100 local professionals, business and home bakers signed up to the event, which will begin at 12 noon on Saturday 27th September. The event will take place in our Main Hall and in St Brendan’s Hall in St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell.
“Given the increased space available in our facility the organisers can squeeze in a few other bakers who want to take part in this effort to raise much-needed funds for @mothersagainstgenocide and partners in a water and food distribution project.
“This funding will deliver vital aid to those most in need on the ground. They are calling on anyone interested in taking part to email cakepicnicpalestine@gmail.com. The ongoing genocide in Gaza and the use of starvation against a civilian population as many of the world’s governments watch on is absolutely appalling.
“The fact that someone attempted to prevent people in the community from holding an event to help provide one of life’s most basic necessities beggars belief. We are confident the local community will turn out to show their support on September 27th for this great initiative and solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
Last week, it was announced the Cake Picnic was looking for a new location after receiving threats. Speaking to Belfast Live, Shonee said she “could not understand the mindset of the people behind them as the event is designed to help get food and water to starving women and children.”
East Belfast Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn condemned the threats made to the bake sale.
He said: “I will never understand the mentality of the pro-genocide crowd who can sit and watch as thousands of children are being bombed by a far-right Israeli government and think to themselves that a cake picnic to raise funds for humanitarian causes is the enemy. Full solidarity.”
The Cake Picnic for Palestine will take place at St Comgall’s on Divis Street on Saturday, September 27, from 12pm.
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