Local representatives have condemned the threats against an event designed to help people in desperate need
A bake sale aiming to raise funds for humanitarian aid for people in Palestine has been forced to move 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.
But now, after organisers and participants received a number of threats regarding the event, it has been forced to move location in order to ensure the safety of those involved.
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Ms McWilliams, who has organised the event alongside a host of local bakers, told Belfast Live that the threats to those involved had been upsetting and that 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”.
However, she said that they are determined to push ahead and find a new location, thanking Banana Block for their support over the past few days.
“We are all a bit shaken and upset due to the threats that we have received but we are determined to get a new location to host the Cake Picnic and due to the support that we have received we will likely have a few places to choose from,” Ms McWilliams added.
“The Banana Block has been hugely supportive and it is a great venue for community events, but as there are a lot of children and families involved in the sale we do not want to put anyone’s safety at risk.
“It is hard to understand the mindset of people who are making these threats against an event designed to help get food and water to starving women and children. But what we are facing is nothing compared to what the people of Palestine are going through.
“I would just like to thank everyone who has reached out so far with their support and we will update everyone soon on the new location for the Cake Picnic later this month.”
East Belfast Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn has 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.”
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