On Sunday, 8 February, Drogheda hosted the 50 metre Blanket of Remembrance for Gaza, facilitated locally by the group Drogheda Stands with Palestine.
The blanket, made up of almost 3,000 crocheted granny squares, was created by a group of Irish women who wanted to show solidarity with the people of Palestine and express their anger and frustration at the ongoing genocide of the people of Gaza. Due to health reasons, they chose crocheting as a form of protest rather than marching.
The initiative, known as Craftivism for Palestine, has received squares from across Ireland and beyond. Each square represents 10 children killed in Gaza. Stitched together, the blanket now symbolises 29,000 children and continues to grow, forming a powerful visual statement.
Although the weather initially threatened to disrupt the event, a break in the clouds allowed the Blanket of Remembrance to be carried through the centre of Drogheda. Against the historic backdrop of St Peter’s Church and Laurence’s Gate, almost 100 people took part in the short procession.
Organisers expressed thanks to Niamh Bonner of Craftivism for Palestine and her mother, Noirín, for bringing the blanket to Drogheda. The pair are travelling around Ireland with the installation, and Drogheda Stands with Palestine said it was honoured to host it for the afternoon.
