https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/belfast-bake-sale-palestine-forced-32416205

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."

by marke0110

7 comments

  2. Sad to see but I can imagine CJ audits and his civilian journalist cronies turning up to this and causing absolute mayhem.

  5. Must break the citizen journalists hearts that there’s a good number of people in East Belfast, Bangor etc that don’t support the Genocide in Gaza.

  6. Speaking as a taig, I have made the trip to Flout Pizza and Banana Block before and really enjoyed the food, but all the paramilitary flags and people with Rangers tops and UVF tattoos has stopped me going back. Judging by Instagram, Flout and the rest of the vendors don’t exactly need my custom to survive, but if it put me off returning I wonder how many others it has put off. This latest news story isn’t exactly helping the reputation of the area. 

  7. Sad to see this happen in a well known **neutral** venue and one of the more decent things the lower newtownards road has going for it lately.. which are few and far between.

    I’ll never understand why UVF anniversary parades, racist vigilante groups led by animal abusers and paramilitary flegs being hoisted goes unchecked.. but a fundraiser against mass genocide is controversial. I’ve no doubt this will just double the amount of charity given out on the day. There are so many more people in East Belfast that want a free palestine 🇵🇸✊

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