The Route
From the Rafah crossing into Egypt to the Northern border, Gaza is about 25 miles long on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Following Buffalo's "coast" along the Niagara River, 25 miles takes us from Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo to Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park. With breaks to rest, hydrate, sing, and pray, we're expecting the walk to take a little over 12 hours. |
FAQs
- Where does the money go? As recommended by the global movement, we are splitting the funds raised three ways. One third will benefit a local family working to get their surviving family members out of Gaza. Another third will benefit Refugee Alliance International, a humanitarian aid and sustainable development organization that supports refugees in the West Bank and is organizing aid for Gaza now. The final third will go to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, currently providing food and medical aid to children in Gaza. You can give here.
- Do I have to walk the whole 25 miles? No. You can join us for as little or as much as you want or are able. You may wish to walk, roll or ride one ft for each person killed, around 6 miles. You may wish to walk, roll or ride the whole 41km or 25 miles dramatising how small an area Gaza actually is while mapping that area onto our cities. You may only want to walk, roll or ride a short portion at some stage. You are welcome at any stage to join those who will travel the whole distance or be part of a support team.
- How accessible is the route? Our route uses sidewalks, paved bike trails, and paved park paths. There are no stairs, though there are some slopes down to and away from the river, a few bridges to cross, and a few potholes. If you have any specific concerns or questions, please feel free to reach out to us at C[email protected].
- Do I have to be Christian? No. All are welcome! That being said, we know that Lent, Christian Holy Week, and specifically Easter weekend have historically been times of increased Christian antisemitism and Islamophobia. We are committed to fighting hate in all forms and removing antisemitic themes often found in Holy Saturday festivities, and also recognize that Christian spaces may not feel comfortable for all of our neighbors for a variety of reasons. We will have a few planned breaks for collective prayers and hymns, and we'll publicize those beforehand for folks who want to prioritize or avoid those times. We will take additional breaks throughout the walk for our Muslim friends celebrating Ramadan to pray, and are trying to plan the route to allow for some quieter places to do so.
- What do I need on the day? 25 miles is a long way. Folks using wheelchairs or walking sticks may want to bring gloves to avoid blisters, and walkers should wear good shoes and good socks. We'll have some first aid supplies, but ideally we'll notice any problems before they arise so we can address them. Pay attention to your feet! Otherwise, who knows what the weather will be like in WNY at the end of March? We'll keep an eye on the weather and send out specific weather-related suggestions as the day comes closer.
- Can I bring signs or banners? Of course! Wear keffiyehs, bring Palestinian signs of sumud (steadfast endurance), carry crosses, or icons, or coffins, or signs. This pilgrimage seeks to humanize and honor the lives of those killed, so if you can, focus your messaging on that theme. If you're planning on walking the whole day, you may want to coordinate with friends so you don't have to carry something for the whole journey. Antisemitism of any kind will not be tolerated.
- How else can I get involved? Great Question! We will need some folks who are willing to support in non-financial ways, like shuttling folks from Niagara Falls back to their cars in Buffalo, or dropping off water and snacks along the route. If you are interested in supporting in any way, please fill out the support team form on the “Sign Up” page.