My Story by Rebecca Lanyon Willmott
I'm a mother of two young children and an artist. I was born Lancaster in 1988 and am the eldest of my parent's six children. I have two older half sisters.
I went to school at Scotforth and Glasson Dock primary and then went on to Ripley High School. I studied at Manchester Metropolitan University for my English BA and Lancaster and Morecambe College for my art foundation then Edinburgh University for my Illustration MA.
I moved back to Lancaster in 2016.
Before last October I knew a little about Palestine's history. My knowledge stemmed mostly through buying Z aytoun products and volunteering at the Peace and Justice Centre in Edinburgh. I knew Israel wanted Palestinian land and there was a lot of violence surrounding this.
It was in October of 2023 that I began to learn more about Palestine and Israel. Seeing Palestinian families' lives destroyed by Israeli air forces online was awful to watch and I felt I had to help in some way. I decided to run a family banner making workshop in November and attended the candlelit vigil for Gaza that night with my friends, children and our banners. It was incredibly sad and moving to hear the chants and speaker's talk about the violence inflicted on Gaza. I knew that I had to continue standing up for Palestine. I then regularly attended the Saturday demonstrations, usually with my 2 year old son in a back carrier. The speakers at the demonstrations offered a different source of information, giving a voice to Palestinians which isn't always provided in the media. It feels important to be with other people who speak about Palestine and are taking action to inform people.
I find it unbelievable that so many people are being killed and injured on a daily basis in Gaza. Being part of the demonstrations and taking action helps me feel like I'm helping in some way. It has given me hope and a better understanding of campaigning effectively and given me confidence to get up and speak in a busy town centre about Palestine. I've had a lot of people tell me that they don't feel like they can help or that there will always be a war on but everyone can help in some way such as take part in the boycott campaign or put a Palestine poster in their window.
I am vegan and believe the suffering of living beings should not be accepted, I strive for peace and justice for all.
The pro Palestine community in Lancaster has inspired me to raise awareness of Palestine in creative ways such as running the Birds of Gaza project including at Lancaster Solidarity Encampment, a fundraising walk for MAP, running banner making workshops and the successful campaign to keep BAE out of Lancashire libraries. I talk to my 5 year old daughter about Palestine and we read picture books on Palestinian heritage.
I've made friends and learnt so much from attending the Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstrations.