50 PEOPLE will be cycling from Bradford to Manchester tomorrow as part of a Free Palestine Rally in the North.
The event, organised by Friends of Al-Aqsa, begins in Bradford at 8.30am before stopping off at Halifax (Jamia Mosque Madni) and Rochdale (Wardleworth Community Centre), eventually landing at Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens at around 5pm.
It will start at Lister Park with the cyclists and walkers making their way up to City Park for 9.30am.
The meeting point for the walk will be 8.30am at Cartright Hall Lister Park, leaving at 9am to Centenary Square City Park. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the walk and also attend the talks taking place at 9.30am and wave off cyclists at 10am.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council leader; Bradford East MP Imran Hussain; Bradford West MP Naz Shah and Dr Ismail Patel, founder of friends of Al-Aqsa, will then deliver talks before the riders are waved off.
Ms Shah said: "I am delighted to see the community of Bradford coming together with people across Yorkshire and Lancashire to support the Palestine solidarity campaign.
"I will be taking part in the walk from Lister Park to City Park and look forward to seeing off the cyclists. who are doing the brave task of riding to Manchester."
Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, added, "It is very encouraging to see people of various backgrounds across Yorkshire and Lancashire coming together to raise the awareness of Palestine and Palestinians.
"Let us hope this will add to the voice of reason that is calling for justice and peace."
Shadim Hussain, board member of The Bradford Foundation Trust (BFT), said: "The BFT has worked with Friends of Al-Aqsa and other partners to organise the events on May 30.
"In 2017, following the Manchester MEN Arena bombings that killed 22 innocent people, I was proud to be amongst 100 cyclists of all backgrounds who did a bike ride from Bradford to Manchester to show solidarity and respect.
"Many of the cyclists have come together again to organise this event.
"Over the past few weeks as the humanitarian crisis in Palestine has got worse I found many local people wanted to know how they could help and support the cause.
"I have been really impressed by the work Friends of Al Aqsa have been doing and hope more people will support the work they do."
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