Speech at my Derry leaving party
"I want to tell you the personal and political story of my journey through Derry and why you will always be part of my heart. It’s a good story. I came to Derry because of love.
3½ years ago, I had a crush on a guy I met through my freelance co-op work. I gathered up all my courage, I rehearsed, I got on the phone and rang him. I said “Hi ... I’m not ringing you about work. I’d like to be more than friends”. And he said “Yes!”. And I said, "Wooo!" I ran round my house like this ... "oh my god! Oh My God! OH MY GOD!" So then we met up, in Derry.
Politically in 2014, Israel was bombarding Gaza with bombs. I joined hundreds of people in Derry and thousands of people around the world in protest against that. I helped form Jewish Voice for Just Peace. Its an organisation to make our voice louder. "Us" being Jewish people in Ireland who are against the war, Israel’s war, on Palestinian people.
Everything was going well with the guy and after a few months I moved in.
In the last few years, millions of people have become refugees from Syria and other places that have been bombed by the UK government. Two years ago in particular, the refugee crises reached our TV screens – we could see it. At the same time, the Labour Party in Britain was being transformed by Jeremy Corbyn, who I voted for. On the day he was elected as leader of the Labour Party, he went and spoke at a rally, a huge rally in London to say Refugees Are Welcome Here.
I heard that Syrian families would be coming to Derry, and we talked about what we could do together to welcome them. We organised Arabic language classes, Arabic culture courses and some pop-up Arabic Cafes. Over 300 people came. Through working together, my new friends became good friends. Some of you are here today. The activities attracted Syrian people to come and take part as equals, not only as service users.
Young Syrian women were invited to tell their stories to schools in Derry. They rose to the challenge big time. They talked with almost 2,000 school students about their story. I had the amazing privilege of standing next to them. That's one of the highlights of my time in Derry, to have that privilege.
Then they said, “Jo - would you start an Arabic Café?”
So we did. We’ve now had 18 pop up Arabic Cafés, more than I thought actually, open to the public. About 60 people come on average. Most Arabic speaking families in Derry have been involved in some way. I wish the Arabic Cafe every success in the future. It’s not an easy road that one - it's a rocky road. There are lots of things to talk about and negociate.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn’s team have united the left and led the Labour Party in terms of changing the culture in England – for the many not the few. Labour almost won the last General Election. I think this Labour Party manifesto is even more gorgeous than I am. I've been waiting to use that line for ages.
So I want to contribute what I can. Because I think this is the best chance in a generation for justice to win out. I want to contribute what I can, for as long as I can, before it all goes horribly wrong. So I am trying stand for election to win a seat for Labour in the local council in the Wirral, near Liverpool, where I will be living.
You are welcome to help me campaign. You are always welcome in my home. Bayti baytak - my house is your house. I love the summer here, but in Liverpool the winter is warmer and shorter. My family are happy I’ll be closer. Now I say "Oh My Allah!"
It is an honour to know you all. I’ll be back on 8 November for a few days. Thank you, shukran, go raith maith agut."
31 August 2017